Daijiworld Media Network - Colombo

Colombo, May 3: A SriLankan Airlines flight from Chennai to Colombo was subjected to a comprehensive security inspection at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Saturday following a tip-off from Indian intelligence regarding a suspect linked to the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

Flight UL 122, operated by aircraft 4R-ALS, landed in Colombo at 11:59 am and was immediately searched by a joint team of Sri Lanka Police, Air Force personnel, and airport security. The search followed an alert received by the Chennai Area Control Centre about a potential suspect onboard wanted in India, Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror reported.

The aircraft was cleared after the inspection, though the mandatory procedures delayed subsequent services. No suspect was found during the operation.

The high alert came in the wake of the gruesome April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed by four terrorists, two of whom were identified as Pakistani nationals.

In a series of strong responses on Saturday, India suspended all inbound mail and parcel exchanges from Pakistan, banned all Pakistani imports, and barred Pakistan-flagged vessels from Indian ports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the media alongside Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, reaffirmed India’s resolve to take decisive action against terrorism.

“We are firmly united in our stance against terrorism. I expressed my gratitude to President Lourenco and the people of Angola for their sympathies to those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack,” PM Modi said.

He added, “We are committed to taking firm and decisive actions against terrorists and those who support them. We thank Angola for its support in our fight against terrorism.”