Aviation security agencies were on high alert on Wednesday after a series of bomb threat messages were reported — one targeting an Air India Express flight from Mumbai to Varanasi, and another claiming that five major airports, including Delhi and Mumbai, were under threat, reported the PTI.
According to official sources, IndiGo Airlines received a message warning of potential bomb attacks within 24 hours at Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Thiruvananthapuram airports. The Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) convened at the Delhi Airport soon after the message was received. Following detailed verification, the threat was declared “non-specific”, officials told the PTI.
Earlier in the day, an Air India Express flight (IX1023) carrying over 170 passengers from Mumbai to Varanasi also received a bomb threat. The aircraft landed safely at Varanasi Airport around 4 pm, and all passengers were safely disembarked. The Bomb Threat Assessment Committee was alerted immediately, and all required security protocols were activated. The airline said the aircraft would be released for operations only after all mandatory checks were completed, as per the PTI.
The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport also received a bomb threat on Wednesday afternoon, which was later declared a hoax, a Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official said, reported the PTI.
The incidents come amid enhanced security measures across all airports in India following the blast near Delhi Red Fort blast on November 10, which killed at least 12 people and injured several others.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has since issued strict directives to strengthen airport safety. Measures include compulsory Secondary Ladder Point Checking (SLPC) for all flights, complete aircraft and catering inspections, random baggage checks, and heightened monitoring of non-scheduled flight operations, including air ambulances, the news agency reported.
The BCAS advisory also directed all civil aviation facilities — including airstrips, helipads, flying schools, and aviation training institutes — to remain on high alert. Passengers have been advised to arrive early at airports, as screening procedures are expected to take longer due to increased vigilance, as per the PTI.
While both bomb threats were ultimately deemed non-specific, authorities continue to maintain a state of heightened alert to ensure passenger safety and operational security across the country.
(with PTI inputs)