New Delhi: Security at three major international airports in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai has been beefed up after agencies were apprised about a possible hijack attempt of an aircraft from these facilities.

The high alert has been issued after e-mail was received by the Mumbai Police last night from a woman living there who mentioned that she had overheard six boys talking about a possible aircraft hijack attempt at these facilities.

The Mumbai Police shared the e-mail with all security and intelligence agencies. A meeting of all stakeholders at these airports was subsequently convened and the input was declared specific and actionable, they said.

The security apparatus at all these airports have been put on “an enhanced alert and protocols have been stepped. Also, special anti-sabotage sweeps are being undertaken at these airports since morning and security agencies, including the Central Industrial Security Force, have enhanced frisking of passengers, baggage scanning, pre-embarkation checks and patrols in the vicinity of the airports, officials said

The CISF has called in its sniffer dog squads and quick reaction teams for undertaking sanitisation drills at the airports, they said, adding airlines have been asked to remain extra vigilant.

“However, there is no reason to panic and all the operations at these airports will be normal and without any hassle to passengers,” a senior officer who is part of airports security team said.

The police are probing the contents of the e-mail and trying to get in touch with the sender.