A Correspondent
NEDUMBASSERY: The Bomb Detection & Disposal Squad (BDDS) inducted into the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Cochin International Airport has come in handy for the Force in its efforts to enhance the security arrangements at the airport.
Hardly a month since its induction, the full-fledged BDDS had already been used twice; once for a live demo of explosive diffusion and as part of a full scale mock exercise on facing a bomb threat by terrorists which was carried out on Tuesday.
The seven-member squad, armed with ultra modern equipment for explosive detection and disposal, has been allocated by the CISF Headquarters following the persistent demand made by the airport authorities.
Kochi airport is the only airport in the State where a BDDS is stationed for round-the-clock service. In Thriuvananthapuram and Kozhikode airports the CISF continue to depend on the service of the bomb squad of the local police.
Shriram Bharath, Managing Director of the airport company, on Friday reiterated the importance of the squad while taking pride in the fact that Kochi airport is the only airport in the country where the CISF has its own BDDS. It was during his visit to Delhi that the squad was allotted by the CISF Headquarters after his discussions with the CISF Director General.
He said that the squad was available for the service of the local police and other organisations in the vicinity of the airport.
Before the allotment of the BDDS, the CISF at the Kochi airport was also dependent on the State police for availing of the service of the bomb squad. With the nearest station a good 30 km away from the airport, it was a glaring lacuna as the security agencies had to wait for the arrival of the squad, a basic need, when faced with an emergency situation. Even during mock drills the absence of the bomb squad was quite palpable.
At present, the BDDS consisted of seven members, an Inspector, three head constables and three constables, CISF Commandant K.C. Suresh Kumar said. One more person was expected to join the squad soon, he said.
Trained by the National Security Guards (NSG), the squad members are capable of facing any emergency situation arising from an explosion threat.
The squad is equipped with state-of-the-art explosive detection and disposal gear like the bomb suit, which is capable of withstanding the impact of the deadliest of explosion, and a helmet incorporating communication and ventilation systems.
Besides these, the kit includes potable explosive detector, Render Safe Procedure (RSP kit), Surveillance periscope, Trolley Mirror, Bomb Suppression Blanket, Bomb Basket, Prodder, Ice Tonge, Search Inspection Kit and Car Remote opening Kit. The CISF has also demanded a dog squad to go along with the BDDS.
