Over the past 24 hours, Indian airlines have been rocked by a series of bomb threats, resulting in heightened security protocols and multiple flight diversions. In total, over 10 flights from various carriers, including IndiGo, Akasa Air, Vistara, and Air India Express, were targeted, though all the threats were eventually deemed to be hoaxes. Despite the false alarms, the incidents have caused significant disruptions, especially to international travel, and sparked concern over aviation security.
Among the most notable incidents, three Vistara flights, all departing from Delhi, received bomb threats early on Saturday. One flight, UK18 from Delhi to London, had to make an emergency landing in Frankfurt, where security teams conducted a thorough search of the aircraft and luggage. After several hours of checks, the flight was cleared, and passengers resumed their journey. Another Vistara flight, UK21 from Delhi to Paris, landed safely at Charles de Gaulle Airport, where it was immediately taken to an isolation bay for security checks. The third Vistara flight, UK161, bound for Hong Kong, also underwent similar procedures upon landing at Hong Kong International Airport.
Air India Express also faced a scare when its flight from Dubai to Jaipur, carrying 189 passengers, received a bomb threat via email. Upon its safe arrival in Jaipur, the plane was swiftly moved to an isolated area, where it was searched by security personnel. Thankfully, no explosives or suspicious objects were found, and all passengers were safely disembarked.
In addition to Vistara and Air India Express, five IndiGo flights received bomb threats, including flights 6E17 and 6E11, both of which were flying to Istanbul from Mumbai and Delhi, respectively. Another IndiGo flight, 6E184, flying from Jodhpur to Delhi, was also targeted, but all the planes landed safely and were cleared after extensive checks. Akasa Air, the country’s newest budget airline, reported that several of its flights received security alerts. Although the exact number of affected flights was not disclosed, the airline confirmed it had put into place strict safety protocols to ensure passenger security.
This latest string of hoax bomb threats has led to frustration among both authorities and passengers, causing delays, diversions, and heightened anxiety. In the past week alone, airlines have received approximately 70 such threats, all of which turned out to be false alarms. These fake alerts have raised serious concerns about the ease with which such threats can be made and the impact they have on the already strained aviation sector.
Investigating agencies have made some progress in tracking down the perpetrators. A common trend in these threats includes phrases such as "blood will spread everywhere," "this is not a joke," and other menacing language, which has helped authorities identify a pattern. In one breakthrough, a 17-year-old boy from Chhattisgarh was detained by Mumbai Police in connection with threats made to three flights originating from Mumbai on October 14. Investigations revealed that the boy had used Virtual Private Network (VPN) services to conceal his location, a tactic that has made it challenging for authorities to trace the origins of many of the other threats. Some of the IP addresses linked to these threats have been traced to foreign locations, including London.
To address this growing issue, the Civil Aviation Ministry has announced plans to impose stricter regulations on hoax bomb threats. These include potentially placing individuals responsible for such hoaxes on the no-fly list, barring them from traveling by air in the future. The ministry is also considering enhanced penalties for those found guilty of making these fake threats, as well as working closely with VPN service providers and social media platforms to identify individuals behind the threats more effectively.
In the meantime, airlines and airport authorities are on high alert, with security checks being intensified to ensure the safety of passengers. Although no real threats have been detected so far, the frequency of these incidents has caused widespread disruption. With flights being diverted, delayed, and subjected to exhaustive checks, many passengers have expressed their frustration, while authorities emphasize the need for caution.
The threat of these hoaxes has also added to the growing concerns over national security, especially at a time when geopolitical tensions in the region remain high. With air travel being a critical component of India's infrastructure, ensuring the safety and security of flights has become paramount. Authorities are determined to prevent further disruptions and reassure travelers that they are taking all necessary measures to protect them from any potential threats.
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