Bomb threats to Indian flights continue; 18 incidents reported in 3 days

The wave of bomb threats to Indian flights continued for a third day running, with a new trend emerging in how these threats are communicated. A total of 18 bomb threats targeted various airlines, forcing several flights to divert, delay, or make emergency landings. Unlike previous incidents, where hoax phone calls were made, the recent threats were issued via social media, often from unverified accounts - a shift in tactics by those behind these disruptions. Mumbai police detained one minor for making three bomb threats on October 14.

The threats caused panic at multiple airports and prompted an immediate response from security agencies. A source from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) told mid-day, "This seems to be a new trend. It has never happened before where such threats were posted on social media." The source added, "This creates panic among the general public, as anything posted on social media is accessible to everyone, unlike emails or phone calls. Earlier, only airlines, airports, and security agencies were aware of such threats, making it easier to control panic."

An Indigo aircraft from Saudi Arabia after it made an emergency landing following a bomb threat at Jaipur airport on Tuesday. Pic/PTI

When asked if this was an attempt to stretch the resources of various stakeholders thin, the source disclosed, "Fortunately, the threats were not made to multiple flights on the same sector. Each airport has space constraints, and the number of isolation bays is limited. If multiple flights in the same sector had been targeted, they would have had to be diverted to other airports for security screening. This could be an attempt to stretch resources, but at this point, nothing is certain."

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu issued a statement saying, "I am deeply concerned over these recent disruptive acts targeting Indian airlines, affecting both domestic and international operations. In response, I chaired a high-level committee on October 14, comprising officials from the DGCA, BCAS, CISF, and the Ministries of Home and Civil Aviation."

He added, "I am monitoring the situation regularly, and our law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing all cases. Mumbai police have arrested a minor responsible for issuing bomb threats targeting three flights. All others responsible will be identified and prosecuted."

Zulfiquar Hasan, director general of BCAS, told mid-day, "Indian skies are absolutely safe. The police are working to identify the culprits," adding, "We are confident of tracing all those behind these threats, and strict
action under the law will be taken."

Minor detained

Mumbai police's Cyber Crime Cell detained a minor for issuing three bomb threats to airlines on October 14. All three flights were set to depart from Mumbai airport. Manish Kalwania, DCP (Cyber Crime), said in a media briefing, "After an FIR was registered at Sahar police station, we received information that the culprit was in Chhattisgarh. Our team went there and discovered that a minor was involved in the threats. A notice was served to the minor's parents, and the child was brought to the juvenile justice board. The minor is now in a remand home for further investigation."

He added, "We have also called another individual for questioning. The minor had used this individual's photograph on the social media account from which the threats were issued. The two know each other and were involved in some financial matters. It is unclear whether the minor acted alone or at the behest of this individual."

Lawyer Speaks

"According to section 113(3) and 197(1)(d) of BNS and section 18 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the punishment for such offences can be between 5 years and life imprisonment. It cannot be below 5 years," said Advocate Siddharth Chandrashekhar.

Flights that received threats

October 14
Air India AI119: Mumbai to New York - diverted to Canada due to bomb threat.
IndiGo 6E57: Mumbai to Jeddah - halted before takeoff.
IndiGo 6E1275: Mumbai to Muscat - stopped on the runway before departure.

October 15
Air India AI172: Delhi to Chicago - diverted to Canada after bomb threat.
SpiceJet SG116: Darbhanga to Mumbai - made an emergency landing in Mumbai.
Air India Express IX684: Madurai to Singapore - escorted by fighter jets, landed safely in Singapore.
Akasa QP1373: Bagdogra to Bangalore - given priority landing in Bangalore.
Air India Express IX765: Jaipur to Ayodhya - made a high-priority landing in Ayodhya.
IndiGo 6E98: Dammam to Lucknow - diverted to Jaipur.

October 16
Air India Express IX437: Kochi to Dubai - landed in Dubai under high alert.
Alliance Air 9I770: Kolkata to Guwahati - made a priority landing in Guwahati.
IndiGo 6E651: Mumbai to Delhi - landed in Delhi on a high-priority basis.
Air India AI302: Delhi to San Francisco - disrupted, landed on high priority.
IndiGo 6E74: Riyadh to Mumbai - diverted to Muscat.
IndiGo 6E1011: Mumbai to Singapore - landed safely in Singapore with priority.
IndiGo 6E515: Chennai to Lucknow - forced to return to Chennai.
SpiceJet SG116: Darbhanga to Mumbai - emergency landing in Mumbai (second threat in three days).
SpiceJet SG124: Leh to Delhi - landed in Delhi on high priority.