voa标准英语2008-Indian Airports Alerted to Threat of Armed Assau

India has put several international airports on "red alert" following repeated e-mailed threats to target air facilities in New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai and hijack¹ airliners². From New Delhi, VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports the increased security comes in wake of last week's terror attack in Mumbai, which killed about 175 people, and the anniversary of the destruction of an Indian mosque³.
　

An Indian paramilitary soldier checks the luggage of air passengers during heightened security checks at a domestic airport in New Delhi, India, 04 Dec 2008

Although some security experts are casting doubt on the authenticity⁴ of e-mailed messages warning of more terror attacks in India, authorities are taking no chances. They have put all civil airports on alert and are making closer and repeated inspections⁵ of passengers' luggage.

Threatening e-mails sent to media organizations (including the Voice of America) have been traced to a computer relay server in Saudi Arabia. But analysts⁶ say they do not match the pattern and language of previous credible⁷ communications received from the obscure group known as "Deccan Mujahideen." E-mails in that name were sent immediately surrounding several bombings, earlier this year, in Indian cities.

Indian officials contend last week's attack on Mumbai was carried out by gunmen who came from Pakistan and who are linked to the terrorist organization Laskhar-e-Taiba.

Contributing to the apprehension⁸ is the anniversary of the destruction of the Babri Masjid in Uttar Pradesh. The mosque - constructed by the first Mughal emperor - was demolished⁹ by Hindu activists¹⁰ on December Sixth, 1992. The act inflamed¹¹ Muslim sentiment.

The latest e-mail threats specifically mention the international airports at Bangalore, Chennai and New Delhi.

Indian newspapers and television stations quote sources as saying that, in addition to the e-mails, specific intelligence has been received that terrorists are planning an assault at airports or hijackings.

India's air chief marshal, Fali Homi Major acknowledges warnings of a 9/11 type aerial attack have been discussed by military service heads.

"This is based on little warning which has been received, that's all. Nothing else," he said. "We are prepared, as usual."

When asked whether airport security would ber stregthened further, Major stated that he "can't reveal that."

India media say sky marshals have been put on some flights and dogs able to sniff¹² explosives are being deployed¹³ at airports. Passengers are going through an additional layer of body frisking and hand-baggge inspections before they board aircraft.

As a result of the Civil Aviation Bureau's "anti-hijacking alert," domestic passengers are being asked to arrive at affected¹⁴ airports two hours, in advance, and those taking international flights should check in four hours before departure.

India's military and intelligence agencies have been stung by allegations that they had information - including relayed telecommunications intercepts¹⁵ from the U.S. government - which, if acted upon, could have prevented the Mumbai attacks.

1 hijack   

v.劫持，劫机，拦路抢劫

参考例句：

• Most countries refuse to give sanctuary to people who hijack aeroplanes.大多数国家拒绝对劫机者提供庇护。
• The hijack take place just after the plane take off.劫持是飞机刚起飞后发生的。

2 airliners   

n.客机，班机( airliner的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The fog grounded the airliners. 大雾迫使班机停飞。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They placed very stable and accurate atomic clocks on regularly scheduled jet airliners. 他们将非常稳定、准确的原子钟装在定期飞行的喷气式班机上。 来自辞典例句

3 mosque   

n.清真寺

参考例句：

• The mosque is a activity site and culture center of Muslim religion.清真寺为穆斯林宗教活动场所和文化中心。
• Some years ago the clock in the tower of the mosque got out of order.几年前，清真寺钟楼里的大钟失灵了。

4 authenticity   

n.真实性

参考例句：

• There has been some debate over the authenticity of his will. 对于他的遗嘱的真实性一直有争论。
• The museum is seeking an expert opinion on the authenticity of the painting. 博物馆在请专家鉴定那幅画的真伪。

5 inspections   

n.检查( inspection的名词复数 )；检验；视察；检阅

参考例句：

• Regular inspections are carried out at the prison. 经常有人来视察这座监狱。
• Government inspections ensure a high degree of uniformity in the standard of service. 政府检查确保了在服务标准方面的高度一致。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

7 credible   

adj.可信任的，可靠的

参考例句：

• The news report is hardly credible.这则新闻报道令人难以置信。
• Is there a credible alternative to the nuclear deterrent?是否有可以取代核威慑力量的可靠办法？

8 apprehension   

n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑

参考例句：

• There were still areas of doubt and her apprehension grew.有些地方仍然存疑，于是她越来越担心。
• She is a girl of weak apprehension.她是一个理解力很差的女孩。

9 demolished   

v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光

参考例句：

• The factory is due to be demolished next year. 这个工厂定于明年拆除。
• They have been fighting a rearguard action for two years to stop their house being demolished. 两年来，为了不让拆除他们的房子，他们一直在进行最后的努力。

10 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 inflamed   

adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• His comments have inflamed teachers all over the country. 他的评论激怒了全国教师。
• Her joints are severely inflamed. 她的关节严重发炎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 sniff   

vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视

参考例句：

• The police used dogs to sniff out the criminals in their hiding - place.警察使用警犬查出了罪犯的藏身地点。
• When Munchie meets a dog on the beach, they sniff each other for a while.当麦奇在海滩上碰到另一条狗的时候，他们会彼此嗅一会儿。

13 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

14 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

15 intercepts   

（数学）截距( intercept的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• It intercepts a portion of the light impinging on the photocell. 它遮住一部分照射在光电管上的光。
• The pelletfilter intercepts the particulate matter. 颗粒过滤器将颗粒物进行拦截。