Chennai-Colombo flight ‘thoroughly searched’ upon arrival for suspect linked to Pahalgam attack

A flight from Chennai that arrived in Colombo on Saturday (May 3, 2025) was subjected to a detailed security search, following information from Indian authorities that a suspect linked to the Pahalgam terror attack could be among the travellers, Sri Lanka police said.
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A flight from Chennai that arrived in Colombo on Saturday (May 3, 2025) was subjected to a detailed security search, following information from Indian authorities that a suspect linked to the Pahalgam terror attack could be among the travellers, Sri Lanka police said.

All passengers, including transit passengers, were thoroughly screened, and no one with the identity provided by Indian authorities was found, a top Sri Lankan official told The Hindu.

In a statement issued on Saturday Sri Lankan Airlines, the island’s national carrier, said flight UL 122, which arrived in Colombo from Chennai at 11:59 hours, was subjected to “a comprehensive security search” upon arrival.

“This was carried out in coordination with local authorities following an alert from the Chennai Area Control Centre regarding a suspect wanted in India who was believed to be on board,” the statement said, adding that the aircraft was “thoroughly inspected and subsequently cleared” for further operations.