Colombo– In a high-alert operation triggered by cross-border intelligence sharing, Sri Lankan authorities conducted a full security search of a SriLankan Airlines flight arriving from Chennai on Saturday, following inputs about the possible presence of individuals linked to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The operation took place at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), after Indian intelligence reportedly flagged six potential suspects believed to be on board Flight UL 122. The incident adds an international layer to the ongoing investigation into the April 22 terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead.
The Sri Lankan flight searched for Pahalgam terror suspects drew immediate response from both Sri Lankan law enforcement and airport security teams, who coordinated to carry out a comprehensive inspection of the aircraft and its passengers.
Swift Coordination Based on Indian Intel
According to a spokesperson for the Sri Lankan Police, the search operation was launched after receiving an alert from the Chennai Area Control Centre. The alert reportedly involved a specific individual wanted by Indian authorities for alleged links to the Pahalgam attack.
“The search was carried out in coordination with local authorities following an alert from Chennai regarding a suspect wanted in India who was believed to be on board,” the police said.
The Sri Lankan flight searched for Pahalgam terror suspects reflects heightened regional vigilance and strong cooperation between Indian and Sri Lankan security agencies amid growing concerns over transnational terror networks.
Airline Issues Official Statement
SriLankan Airlines confirmed the incident in an official statement released shortly after the flight landed.
“Flight UL 122, operated by aircraft 4R-ALS, which arrived in Colombo from Chennai at 11:59 hrs today (3 May), was subjected to a comprehensive security search upon arrival,” the airline said.
The airline added that the search was executed under the supervision of the appropriate security agencies and that normal operations resumed following the inspection. No immediate arrests or discoveries have been reported, but the authorities have remained tight-lipped about specific findings, citing operational confidentiality.
Heightened Regional Security Post-Pahalgam Attack
The Sri Lankan flight searched for Pahalgam terror suspects comes amid a broader crackdown across India and its neighbouring countries following the Pahalgam attack, which Indian intelligence believes involved external handlers and cross-border coordination.
With New Delhi already suspending the Indus Water Treaty, expelling Pakistani military personnel, and banning all imports from Pakistan, the latest development signals that Indian agencies are actively tracing suspects beyond national borders.
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