LAHORE, Sept 27: Passengers, visitors and staff of the Allama Iqbal International Airport were panicked after a hoax call about a suicide attack on the airport at 4pm on Saturday.

The caller, who identified himself as Azhar and was calling from a European country, told Karachi airport officials that an explosive-laden grey Suzuki Mehran (LRD-2507) would reach Lahore airport at 4pm, police sources told Dawn.

As a result, Lahore airport officials enhanced vigilance and ordered strict checking inside and outside the airport. Sarwar Road police reached the airport and cordoned off the entry and exit points.

A long queue of vehicles was seen at the airport after the police checked each and every vehicle at entry point.

Some passengers, who were scheduled to reach the airport for their flights, stayed home after the news was telecast by TV channels, a witness told Dawn by phone.

South Cantonment Circle ASP Syed Muhammad Amin said 40 policemen reached the airport after the information was passed on to the police at 2pm. "The police and Bomb Disposal Squad screened the parking area and all parked and moving vehicles one by one for at least four hours." He said the parking lot was evacuated and security arrangements made by ASF inside the airport were also checked.