Indian airports on alert for hijacking

India's aviation spokeswoman Moushumi Chakravarty said airlines and airport operators were put on alert yesterday after intelligence

services uncovered reports of the possible attack by Islamic

extremists. She said airport security had been heightened and

passengers were subjected to extra security checks.

Indian media reported the plot was targeting an Air India or Indian Airlines flight destined for a neighbouring South Asian country.

Such an attack would be the first major terror strike against India since 10 militants rampaged through the city of Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, for three days in November 2008, killing 166 people.

A report in the Indian Express newspaper said intelligence officials had uncovered a plot by militants linked to al-Qaida and the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group.

UK Bansal, a top home ministry official, said passengers were being subjected to more intense security screenings. Sky marshals were also said to have been deployed on flights around the region.

The terror alert came just days after US defence secretary Robert Gates warned a syndicate of terror groups affiliated with al-Qaida was trying to foment a new war between India and Pakistan.

Mr Gates praised India for its restraint after the Mumbai attack but expressed concern the government would have a hard time reacting so cautiously if it were hit again.

Reports said the hijack threat was uncovered during the interrogation of Amjad Khwaja, a militant leader arrested in Chennai last week.