Air Traffic Control (ATC) in Srinagar received a bomb threat concerning a Delhi-Srinagar Vistara flight with 177 passengers onboard, prompting an immediate and coordinated response from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The Vistara flight, UK611, landed safely at Srinagar International Airport, where all passengers and crew were promptly evacuated.
Upon receiving the threat, ATC Srinagar's quick action involved notifying relevant security forces, leading to the runway's temporary closure and heightened security checks. Despite the swift response, the threat was later deemed non-credible, and normal airport operations resumed.
During the security checks, Srinagar Airport's temporary runway closure affected other flights, leading airlines to issue advisories to passengers. SpiceJet and IndiGo were among the airlines that posted travel updates on X (formerly Twitter), informing passengers about potential delays and advising them to check their flight status.
This incident follows a similar bomb threat received by an IndiGo flight earlier in the week. The flight, heading to Varanasi from Delhi, had to be evacuated after a tissue paper with the word "bomb" written on it was found in the aircraft's lavatory. The aircraft was moved to an isolation bay for thorough inspection.
Such incidents highlight the importance of stringent security protocols and the swift response of airport authorities and security forces in ensuring passenger safety.
