Flyer deplaned from Air India flight amid high alert post 'Operation Sindoor'

NEW DELHI: A passenger was deboarded from an Air India flight AI-2820 at Kempegowda International Airport on Wednesday evening, amid heightened security following India's precision strikes on terror camps across the border, according to airport sources quoted by news agency PTI.The incident occurred on the Air India flight scheduled to fly from Bengaluru to New Delhi.The passenger, whose identity remains undisclosed, was removed from the aircraft before its scheduled 6.05 pm departure due to security concerns.An Air India representative confirmed the incident, stating, "We are aware of the incident but will not share any details.""There must have been a reason for deboarding the passenger. It's not something done routinely. There were specific concerns which we are not in a position to disclose," the official added.Security measures have intensified at KIA and other airports nationwide following 'Operation Sindoor'-India's military response against targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, following the deaths of Indian tourists in Pahalgam last month.The disruption follows India's launch of 'Operation Sindoor' early Wednesday, a precision strike targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.The operation was in direct response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists.The situation affected flight operations in several northern cities, with Air India, Air India Express, and SpiceJet cancelling or diverting multiple flights.Air India announced the suspension of all flights in a post shared on X, stating: "Air India flights to and from the following stations – Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot – are being cancelled till 0529 hrs IST on 10 May following a notification from aviation authorities on closure of these airports.""Customers holding valid tickets for travel during this period will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges or a full refund for cancellations," it added.Additionally, Air India also confirmed that two international flights bound for Amritsar were being diverted to Delhi due to disruptions in air traffic following India’s military action against terror camps.Budget carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet have also issued advisories warning of possible delays and cancellations for flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, and Bikaner.