NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao, left for Paris on a four day official visit to France after bomb hoax delayed his departure by nearly three hours, reports agencies.
Security personnel swung into action after an anonymous caller said that a bomb was planted on the Prime Minister’s special Air India aircraft, minutes before he was to arrive at the Delhi airport (technical area).
Sniffer dogs were pressed into service and the entire entourage, which had boarded the aircraft, was asked to disembark and the baggage was checked again with special detectors and the passengers were frisked. Police Tater said’ that no explosive, device was found on the aircraft. The plane, which was scheduled to leave at l am took off at 3:49 a.m. a Mr. Rao’s visit to France, is to impart} the required impetus to the sluggish! bilateral trade and investment flow from France to India besides seeking internationally coordinated response to the growing menace of terrorism, extremism and fundamental.
During his visit, Rao will have wide ranging discussions on issues of mutual concern with the new French President, jaques Chirac, the Prime Minister, Alain Juppe and other French leaders.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 16, 1995
