Security drill prompted by fears of hijacking 'dry run'

Indian aviation officials say a hijacking exercise was planned because of the increased threat from terrorists.

They say they have information a dry run was conducted at Mumbai on Tuesday by a suspected terrorist.

It's reported a man in military fatigues had boarded a stationary aircraft after scaling the airport perimeter fence.

The trespasser, who had foliage wrapped around his body, refused to give his name during questioning by the police.

S Banerjee, Deputy Commissioner of Security for the Bureau of Civil Aviation said: "We believe a dry run was being conducted by potential saboteurs who wanted to test our level of alertness."

Aviation officials in Mumbai have complained of regular breaches of security despite a high alert being maintained after the September 11 terror attacks in the US.

The Alliance Air jet involved in the training exercise had up to 54 people on board. It was surrounded by commandos after it arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi from Mumbai.

New Delhi is reported to have approved the exercise after anonymous threats were received at Calcutta and Madras airport following car bomb attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.