New Delhi: There was heightened security at airports and panic among airline passengers on Thursday after a warning that women terrorists, the fidayeen, could hijack aircraft. The warning was based on a false alarm, according to the Home Minister.
"The reports in this morning paper about women fidayeen is untrue," said P Chidambaram.
The offending circular was issued two days ago by the Airports Authority of India. After it became public, and led to a panic, the government forced the AAI to withdraw it.
The circular said: "A fidayeen group, mostly of Pakistani origin, of 30 young girls (in their 20s) have already reached India."
But the Home Ministry does warn that security in India needs to be increased and politicians and airports may be targets.
The Home Minister has written to over 30 VVIPs warning them of an increased terror threat.
But security do's and don'ts like "don't mingle with crowds" may seem common sense, but not to politicians.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah says: "I am a political worker, a political workers survival depends upon his or her ability to mingle with the people."