Delhi Police has registered multiple FIRs in connection with bomb threats to several domestic and international flights in the last two days and launched a probe into the matter.
According to the police on Wednesday, a total of eight FIRs were registered at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport police station as different flights received the threats through a social media handle in the last two days.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Usha Ragnani said, “In October, the IGI Airport Police responded to eight incidents involving reported bomb threats. After thorough verifications and inspection, all threats were confirmed to be hoaxes.”
She said that the police have initiated legal action for those who are responsible for creating chaos by sending such threats. “Legal action has been initiated against those responsible for these false alarms to ensure strict measures against misuse and to maintain the safety and security of passengers and airport operations,” Ragnani said.
A total of six flights of three Indian carriers—Akasa Air, Air India Express, and IndiGo—were affected on Wednesday after they received threats, which later turned out to be hoaxes.
Among the flights that received such threats, a Bengaluru-bound Akasa Air flight with more than 180 people on board returned to the national capital following a bomb threat. "Akasa Air flight QP 1335, operating from Delhi to Bengaluru on October 16, 2024, received a security alert. The Emergency Response teams closely monitored the situation and recommended diverting the flight back to Delhi. The captain followed all emergency protocols to ensure a safe landing at IGI Airport around 2 PM," said an Akasa Air spokesperson.
However, the police confirmed that the threats were a hoax. The DCP said, “Following standard security protocols, a thorough inspection was conducted, and no suspicious items were found.”
An FIR has been registered under sections 217 (False information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person) and 351(4) (Criminal intimidation through anonymous communication) of the BNS, as well as section 3(1)(d) of The Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982, in connection with the bomb threat concerning Akasa Air flight. “A detailed investigation is currently underway,” the DCP stated.
She added that additionally, after coordination with the concerned social media platform, all accounts responsible for spreading these false threats have been suspended to prevent further misuse and ensure public safety.
On Tuesday, seven flights, including one bound for the United States, received bomb-threat messages through a social media handle, prompting security agencies to undertake specific counter-terrorist drills at various airports.
This including an 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), an Indigo flight from Dammam (Saudi Arabia) to Lucknow (6E 98), an Alliance Air Amritsar-Dehradun-Delhi flight (9I 650) and an Air India Express flight (IX 684) from Madurai to Singapore. In Canada - where the Air India flight to Chicago had landed at Iqaluit airport as a precautionary measure - the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said it was investigating the threat.
On Monday, three international flights that took off from Mumbai were diverted or delayed after an X (formerly Twitter) handle posted threats. Police have detained a teenager in connection with this.
In the past two days, nearly a dozen Indian flights, including some international flights, received bomb threats but nothing suspicious was found in the planes. Police also said the number of FIRs may increase.
Meanwhile, the issue of multiple hoax threats to various airlines came up before a parliamentary committee on Wednesday as the civil aviation secretary told parliamentarians that the accused are being identified and action will be taken against them.
