Almost 24 hours after arms and ammunition were detected aboard an UAE Air Force aircraft at the NSC Bose Airport, authorities here have made no “arrests” or “seizures”, awaiting a nod from the Ministry of External Office, which has got in touch with the UAE authorities.

Customs and airport officials are waiting for instructions from the MEA and defence ministry whether to let the aircraft take off or not. Both the aircraft and its crew officially remained “detained”. Customs and Air Force officers interrogated them later.

Through the day, the authorities remained tightlipped over the developments.

“We have interrogated the crew and just detained them so far. It seems there has been a miscommunication as a result of which the information regarding arms and ammunition on board was not disclosed. Our commissioner Sandip Kumar spoke to the crew. We have made no arrests or seizures. At present, we are awaiting clearance from External Affairs and Defence ministries and thereafter we will let them go,” said a Customs public relations officer attached to the NSC Bose Airport.

Sources said after the detention of the aircraft, high-level talks have begun between the MEA, UAE and China to resolve the impasse. Customs officials have been directed to “detain” the plane and its crew till further orders.

It all began when the UAE aircraft requested and was allowed to land at NSC Bose airport in Kolkata around 5 pm on Sunday. The C-130 military plane and its 10-member crew had landed for refuelling.

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