Kozhikode airport temporarily closed after security officer shot dead

Tense situation continues at the airport after conflict between security personnel and fire safety personnel, flights diverted to Kochi; Sharjah flight delayed until further notice.

Kozhikode – A Central Industrial Security Force soldier was killed and three others were injured on Wednesday in a firing incident at Kerala’s Kozhikode airport, local media reported.

The situation got out of control and at least two flights were diverted after conflict between airport authority officials and CISF personnel, unconfirmed reports said. This include an Air India Express flight from Sharjah and a domestic Indigo flight. Sources said a flight to Sharjah and an Etihad flight via Qatar have been delayed. Passengers  of the Air India Express flight were allowed to get out of the airport.

S.S. Yadav, a CISF soldier, died after he was seriously injured in the shooting, sources said.

According to a local news channel, the firing occurred during an argument between the fire force personnel and the CISF personnel. An argument broke out when CISF personnel stopped fire force personnel on duty, resulting in a clash.

The shooting took place at a high security zone of the airport where containers are being dealt with.

Even though Kerala home minister Ramesh Chennithala assured the media that more local police forces will be sent to the airport, sources said the airport is still under the control of the protesting CISF personnel. Senior state police officers are arriving at the airport to bring the situation under control and reinstate the airport service. 

Reports said airport authority officials were seized for some time by the angry CISF personnel.

The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals and one of them is in a serious condition.