A wave of bomb threats has swept across Indian airspace, causing widespread disruption and raising serious concerns about aviation security. Over the past 48 hours, at least 13 bomb threats have been reported to domestic and international flights operated by various airlines, including Indigo, Air India, Vistara, and Akasa Air. While authorities have confirmed that these threats are hoaxes, the incidents have underscored the vulnerability of air travel to such disruptive tactics.
Indigo Flights Disrupted by Security Alerts
One of the most notable instances involved Indigo, India’s largest low-cost airline. Indigo flight 6E 184, operating from Jodhpur to Delhi, received a security alert, forcing the aircraft to land safely at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). The airline promptly issued a statement, emphasizing their commitment to passenger and crew safety, while also acknowledging the inconvenience caused.
Further security alerts affected two Indigo flights bound for Istanbul. Flights 6E 17 from Mumbai and 6E 11 from Delhi both received alerts, prompting the airline to take necessary precautions in accordance with security guidelines. Indigo also addressed a security alert on flight 6E 108, operating from Hyderabad to Chandigarh, leading to the aircraft’s isolation upon landing and the safe disembarkation of all passengers.
Multi-Airline Impact and Government Response
The bomb threat calls were not limited to Indigo. A total of 20 flights across different airlines faced these threats: five Akasa Air flights (QP 1323, QP 1371, QP 1373, QP 1385, QP 1405), five Vistara flights (UK 106, UK 27, UK 107, UK 121, UK 131), five Air India flights (AI 101, AI 105, AI 126, AI 119, AI 161), and five Indigo flights (6E 11, 6E 17, 6E 58, 6E 108, 6E 184).
In response to this alarming situation, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sought a detailed report from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). The MHA has directed MoCA, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Bureau of Civil Aviation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to conduct a comprehensive investigation and submit their findings. MoCA officials have briefed the MHA about the recent threats and provided timely updates on the situation.
While authorities work to uncover the source of these hoax threats, the incidents serve as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent aviation security measures and the need to remain vigilant in protecting passengers and crew. The investigation is expected to shed light on the motives behind these threats and contribute to strengthening security protocols to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.