KANGRA: A security emergency unfolded at the Kangra (Gaggal) Airport in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday morning when an unclaimed blue bag was discovered in the terminal’s washroom around 8:30 AM. The discovery triggered an immediate security protocol, leading to the total evacuation of the premises.
Airport authorities, acting on standard safety procedures, cordoned off the entire area. A specialized Bomb Disposal Squad was rushed to the site to assess the potential threat. To minimize risk, security personnel used ropes to carefully drag the bag from the washroom to an open outdoor area for inspection, rather than handling it manually.
Flight Operations Disrupted
The security alert caused a significant breakdown in airport operations. A Delhi-bound flight, scheduled to arrive at 9:00 AM, was halted at the national capital as a precautionary measure. Inside the terminal, passengers and staff members were moved to designated safe zones, leading to temporary panic among travelers.
Operations remained completely suspended for approximately three hours. Activities at the airport only resumed after 11:30 AM once the security clearance was formally issued. The delayed flight from Delhi was subsequently allowed to depart for Kangra after the situation was declared normal.
Preliminary Investigation Findings
Initial reports following the intensive search suggest that the bag belonged to a local passenger from Dharamshala. It is believed the traveler inadvertently left the luggage behind in the washroom. However, airport administration has not yet officially confirmed this claim, and a formal investigation into the lapse remains ongoing.
The incident occurred just days before the official start of the Himachal tourism season on April 15. Kangra Airport, which handles five daily flights operated by Air India and SpiceJet, is currently experiencing a high influx of tourists. This scare has prompted authorities to tighten security measures ahead of the busy summer period.
