Agencies actively pursuing bomb threat cases: Aviation Minister Naidu

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu also said the Mumbai police have arrested a minor responsible for issuing bomb threats targeting three flights

Law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing all cases of bomb threats against airlines and the government is closely monitoring the situation, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Wednesday.

Against the backdrop of at least 19 flights operated by Indian carriers receiving bomb threats in three days that later turned out to be hoax, he also said the Mumbai police have arrested a minor responsible for issuing bomb threats targeting three flights. “All others responsible for the disruptions will be identified and duly prosecuted,” the minister said.

Naidu chaired a meeting with the officials of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

On Wednesday, bomb threats were received by four IndiGo flights, two SpiceJet flights, and one flight of Akasa Air.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police registered an FIR and launched a probe into the matter.

According to sources, an FIR has been registered at the IGI Airport Police Station as different flights received threats through a social media handle in the last two days.

Police have identified the people operating the handle and teams are working to nab them, they said.

Bengaluru-bound Akasa Air flight with more than 180 people on board had returned to the national capital on Wednesday afternoon.

An Akasa Air spokesperson stated the airline’s emergency response teams monitored the situation on flight number QP 1335 following which passengers were deplaned. 

“The Captain followed all required emergency procedures, diverted the flight back to Delhi and landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport at 13:48 hrs. According to the prescribed safety and security procedures, the aircraft was taken to an isolation bay upon landing,” the spokesperson added.

An IndiGo flight 6E 651 on the Mumbai-Delhi route was diverted to Ahmedabad following another security-related alert, the airline said.  

“We worked closely with the relevant authorities, and standard operating procedures were followed,” the airline said in a statement. 

SpiceJet’s X handle received a direct message indicating a bomb threat concerning two flights.  “Passengers on both aircraft disembarked safely. After receiving the necessary approvals from the concerned authorities the aircraft were released for further operations,” a SpiceJet spokesperson. 

An Air India Express flight was also escorted by Singapore’s Air Force following a bomb threat received by the airline. The plane landed at the Changi airport after the threat was detected.

It did not respond to a request for a comment sent by Business Standard.