Sri Lankan Police Raid Chennai-Colombo Flight After Terror Alert from India

International News: A major security alert was triggered at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport on Saturday following intelligence inputs linking a passenger from Chennai to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in India. The Sri Lankan Police, along with airport security agencies, conducted a high-intensity search operation on a SriLankan Airlines flight that landed at 11:59 AM local time.

The alert was issued by India’s Chennai Area Control Centre, suggesting that a wanted terror suspect possibly involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack could be aboard the incoming aircraft. Responding swiftly, Sri Lankan authorities sealed the aircraft and began comprehensive inspections.

Aircraft Searched, Passengers Screened, No Suspect Found

Following the tip-off, local law enforcement, along with airport security teams, launched a full-scale screening of all passengers, crew, and luggage. The aircraft was cordoned off immediately upon landing, and each individual on board was subjected to identity verification and physical screening.

All Clear: SriLankan Airlines Flight Given Green Signal

SriLankan Airlines, in a statement, confirmed the operation and reassured the public that passenger and crew safety is their top priority. “We are committed to maintaining the highest international safety and security standards,” the statement said. After thorough inspection, the flight was cleared for further operations as no suspect was found on board.

The Pahalgam Connection: India's Manhunt Crosses Borders

The alert is directly linked to the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed in a brutal ambush on April 22. Indian agencies have identified several suspects believed to be involved in the attack. Three of the prime suspects have been named: Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha. Two local operatives, Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh, have also been identified. Adil is known to have received terror training in Pakistan back in 2018.

Terror Plot Thickens: Foreign Hand Exposed

Intelligence sources further suggest that two more foreign terrorists were part of the plot—Hashim Musa, reportedly a former commando of the Pakistani army, and Ali Bhai, a Pakistani national. The mastermind is believed to be Saifullah Khalid, the deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba, operating from Pakistan.

OGWs Under Scrutiny as Probe Expands

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Jammu & Kashmir Police are currently cracking down on local support networks. Fifteen Overground Workers (OGWs) have been identified, with three already detained. These developments show how the Pahalgam probe is rapidly expanding across borders, with authorities remaining on high alert for any international links. Saturday’s events in Colombo underscore how India’s terror investigations are influencing regional security dynamics, turning even civilian flights into potential sites of counterterror operations.