Flight From Chennai Searched in Sri Lanka After Intel on Pahalgam Attack Suspects
A SriLankan Airlines flight from Chennai was searched at Colombo airport on Saturday after Indian intelligence warned of suspected terrorists linked to the Pahalgam attack.
Security officials at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Colombo, launched a special operation on May 3 after Indian agencies flagged a possible threat onboard a flight from Chennai.
Flight UL 122, operated by aircraft 4R-ALS, landed at 11:59 AM local time and was immediately subjected to a comprehensive search. Authorities acted on an alert from the Chennai Area Control Centre, which indicated that suspects involved in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack may be onboard.
“SriLankan Airlines wishes to inform the public that the aircraft was inspected and subsequently cleared for further operations,” the airline said in an official statement.
Due to the additional screening, the airline’s next scheduled service—Flight UL308 to Singapore—was delayed. “The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority,” the airline said, reassuring passengers of strict safety protocols.
IAccording to Sri Lankan police, Indian intelligence flagged six suspected terrorists believed to have boarded the flight from Chennai. Sri Lankan authorities confirmed the aircraft had been cleared, but did not confirm any detentions or arrests.
The security sweep was part of heightened international vigilance following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed at least 26 people, including tourists from abroad.
The April 22 assault in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, marked the most severe terrorist strike in the Valley since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019.
Terrorists linked to The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, opened fire on a group of tourists, prompting widespread condemnation. The attack has triggered a diplomatic freeze between India and Pakistan, including bans on trade, airspace closure, and expulsion of diplomats.
The Sri Lankan operation reflects growing regional coordination on counter-terrorism. Both nations remain on high alert, and further surveillance on flights and borders is expected.
India has urged all neighboring countries to remain vigilant and step up cooperation to prevent further attempts by suspected operatives to escape justice.
