The plane hijacking Information was not true."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Army has alerted its Special Forces Counter-Terrorism Unit (Satgultor) - 81 to address the alleged hijacking of Australias Virgin Blue Airlines at Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali, despite it being a false alarm.
"The plane hijacking Information was not true. It was aired on a national TV channel that the plane was not hijacked but that there was a drunk passenger who tried to break into the cockpit," explained the Armys spokesperson Brigadier General Andika Perkasa here on Friday.
Andika added that the Armys Counter -Terrorism Unit were alerted for any hijack attempt possibilities.
"The Army Chief of Staff General Budiman has instructed the Armys Special Forces (Kopassus) Commander to prepare all the necessities required. They have to be ready although the information is yet to be known," he stated.
Previously the Chief Inspector of The National Police Criminal Investigation Directorate Suhardi Alius confirmed that the person, who allegedly hijacked the Virgin Blue Airline Boeing 737-800, has been arrested.
"We have seized the offender and he is now being interrogated" noted Suhardi.
Based on the current situation in Ngurah Rai, the reportedly drunk passenger who attempted to enter the cockpit has been identified as a 28-year-old Australian national Matthew Christopher.
Previously, the Ngurah Rais air traffic control received a communication from the cockpit one hour into the flight, as the pilot broadcasted a hijack code.
The Flight from Brisbane was due to arrive in Denpasar at 2.45 p.m. local time, but touched down at 3.16 p.m.
(Uu.A050/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
