New Delhi / Suspicious bag found at Delhi airport tests positive for explosive RDX

An unattended bag found at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport early Friday is suspected to be carrying explosive RDX, said security agency CISF after initial Explosive Vapour Detector (EVD) check came out positive and a dog guide gave a ‘positive signal’.

The black colour trolley bag lying unattended in the arrival area of Terminal 3 was noticed by a CISF jawan, at around 1 am, who alerted his seniors. “Immediately, EVD check of the same was carried out and found positive signal of RDX inside the bag. The baggage was also checked by Dog ‘Guide’, which also gave positive signal for explosive,” a CISF official said.

The area was cordoned off and passenger movement stopped as the bag was taken to a cooling pit at an isolation area with the help of Threat Containment Vehicle (TCV). Thereafter, complete search and sweeping of the arrival area was carried out by the CISF. Movement of passengers and vehicles was resorted at around 3.30 am.

As standard operation procedure, the suspected explosive will be kept in the cooling pit for the next 24 hours and checked after that.

Another CISF official, however, added that sometimes narcotics also come out RDX positive in initial tests and only final tests will be conclusive. “Everyday,roughly around 5 out of 10 bags show positive signs of explosives in explosives detector and adequate drill is followed to secure the bag as per our SOP. Even narcotics substances at times show positive signs of an explosive. The bag, as per the drill, has been taken to secure area and will be opened once we ensure it is safe,” said the officer, who did not wish to be named.