Air India Probe to Hear More Evidence of Police, Airport Security Lapses

OTTAWA (CP) – The Air India inquiry continues its investigation this week of the 1985 bombing that took 329 lives.

More testimony is expected on whether police, intelligence officers and airport security officials did all they could to head off the tragedy. First up will be a series of former RCMP officers who will explain how they handled the threats that poured in against the airline in the months leading up to the terrorist attack. Transport Canada officials will tell their side of the story later.

It’s already known there were security gaps at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, where an x-ray machine broke down as luggage was being screened. Many bags got only a once-over with a hand-held electronic wand that turned out to be inadequate for detecting explosives.

There was also startling testimony last week from a Quebec provincial policeman who said the plane was allowed to take off from Mirabel Airport in Montreal before his sniffer dog could go over the baggage.

Before that, former diplomat James Bartleman stunned the inquiry with a story of how an RCMP officer gave him the brush-off, just days before the bombing, when he tried to discuss top-secret intelligence suggesting the plane could be attacked by Sikh extremists.