Security agencies carried out specific counter-terror drills at various airports in the country on Tuesday after at least five flights received bomb-threat messages through a social media handle.
The threat message, issued by an unverified X handle, later turned to be a hoax. According to reports, two more flights have received the threats, but a confirmation is awaited.
The flights which received the bomb threats included Air India Express flight from Jaipur to Bengaluru via Ayodhya (IX765), a SpiceJet flight from Darbhanga to Mumbai (SG116), an Akasa Air flight from Bagdogra to Bengaluru (QP 1373), an Air India flight from Delhi to Chicago (AI 127) and an Indigo flight from Dammam (Saudi Arabia) to Lucknow (6E 98).
#WATCH | “Air India Express, along with a few other operators, received a specific security threat from an unverified social media handle. In response, security protocols were promptly activated as directed by the Government-appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee. The flight… pic.twitter.com/ETTU5tRh1r
— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2024
The threats came a day after three international flights originating from Mumbai received bomb threats, causing trouble to hundreds of passengers and airline crew.
"We have identified and suspended several accounts that were posting threats on social media regarding bombs in airplanes. It has been informed some threats were originated from London and from other countries," a senior police officer was quoted as saying by ANI.
The series of bomb threats have prompted the Ministry of Civil Aviation to call a high-level meeting on Wednesday.
Air India said its flight from Delhi to Chicago was diverted to Iqaluit airport in Canada.
"Flight AI127 operating from Delhi to Chicago on October 15, 2024, was the subject of a security threat posted online and, as a precautionary measure, has landed at Iqaluit Airport in Canada. The aircraft and passengers are being re-screened as per the laid down security protocol. Air India has activated agencies at the airport to assist the passengers until such time that their journey can resume," it said.
The airlines further said they are extending all cooperation to authorities in identifying the perpetrators of such threats.
SpiceJet said their aircraft has landed safely at the Mumbai airport and was directed to an isolation bay as a precautionary measure.
"All passengers disembarked normally, and security agencies were immediately notified. After thorough security checks, the aircraft has been cleared for further operations," a SpiceJet spokesperson was quoted as saying by PTI.
An Akasa Air spokesperson said their flight has safely landed at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. “All passengers were deplaned and the local authorities undertook the necessary safety and security checks after which the aircraft was released for operations," he said.
