BIG BREAKING India Begins Crackdown Against Turkey, Cancels Celebi Aviation’s Security Clearance in Interest of National Security

New Delhi: In a major crackdown against Turkey for helping Pakistan amid conflict with India, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has cancelled the security clearance of Turkish firm Celebi Aviation. The company is involved in handling ground and cargo operations for several airlines at various Indian airports.

The security clearance for Celebi Aviation has been revoked with immediate effect in the interest of national security.

In its official order, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) said, “The security clearance in respect to Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd, under the category Ground Handling Agency was approved by DG, BCAS on 21.11.2022.”

“In the exercise of power conferred upon DG, BCAS, the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of National Security. This issues with the approval of DG, BCAS,” the order stated.

Turkish firm Celebi Aviation, which specialises in ground handling and cargo services, has been engaged in performing these operations at various Indian airports.

Until now, Celebi Aviation was handling ground and cargo operations at nine major airports in India including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa, Ahmedabad, Cochin, and Kannur.

However, the Aviation Security department has revoked the security clearance of the Turkish firm and all its services remain suspended with immediate effect. The decision has come after Turkish role in assisting Pakistan with surveillance and armed drones was confirm during the recent conflict with India. 

Government’s crackdown on Turkish firm Celebi Aviation follows a day after multiple reports confirmed Turkey’s role in helping Pakistan during the recent conflict with India.

Turkey has been found in assisting Pakistan with armed drones during the recent tensions between the two nations as India was carrying its Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack and bring perpetrators of terror to justice.

Reports also confirmed that Turkey lost two of its civilian contractors when the Indian armed forces targeted terror launchpads and airbases in Pakistan and PoK during Operation Sindoor.

When the Indian armed forces targeted Pakistan-based terror camps inside its territory and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Pakistani army resorted to escalate tension with India by launching swarm drones and missiles, aiming to target Indian military and civilian establishments, though all their attempts couldn’t withstand in front of a full proof India’s air defence system.

In retaliation to Pakistan’s provocation, India bombed all the major and critical airbases in Pakistan, incurring heavy damage to their military installations.   

At a time when the entire nation shares a similar sentiment, joining the call to boycott Turkey, Indigo Airlines, which holds the largest market share in India, has batted for alliance with Turkish alliance saying its beneficial.    

Turkey has just begun to face the consequences for helping Pakistan during conflict with India. Amid boycott calls from across the country and business sectors, prime Indian institutions Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia Millia Islamia have announced suspension of MoUs with any Turkish education institutions, in view of the national security and supporting the nationwide sentiment in isolating Ankara.

On Wednesday, Major General (Retired) GD Bakshi called for boycotting Turkey at a large scale and also suggested that India should help Greece and provide them Brahmos missiles.

Supporting the nationwide boycott calls, Tourism Committee, Chamber of Commerce chairman Subhash Goyal, also issued a statement and said, “It is unfortunate that we helped Turkey a lot when there was an earthquake there. We even sent our doctors, dog squad and medical squad. We called it Operation Dost. We could not have imagined that Turkey would take such a step, and it will do everything in connivance with our enemy. The Travel Agent Association of India and the rest of the travel associations have supported a boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan…”

After an official order from Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, the Delhi airport has formally ended association with Turkish firm Celebi for handling ground and cargo operations at Indian airports.

The government has allotted AISATS and Bird Group for handling ground operations at 9 airports and cargo to existing pre-approved cargo operators.

After BCAS revoked Turkish firm’s security clearance, BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya in a statement said, “Turkish company Celebi, which operates extensively in India’s airport ground handling sector, has had its security clearances revoked by the government. The message is clear: Firms linked to a government that supplies arms to Pakistan cannot expect access to sensitive infrastructure in India.”