Indian media reported that over 90 false bomb threats were made against several Indian airlines this week, causing widespread panic among passengers and delays to flights worldwide.
Due to the threats, flights had to be diverted, and fighter jets were deployed. Some planes were rerouted to Canada and Germany, while fighter jets were scrambled in the skies over the UK and Singapore to escort the planes. The Indian government and civil aviation authorities have announced that they will take “very strict measures” in response to the situation.
Over 70 False Alarms
While New Delhi’s civil aviation officials did not provide an exact count of the threats received, publications like Times of India and News18 reported that over 70 false alarms have targeted both domestic and international flights since October 13. On Saturday alone, at least 30 threats were made, with more than 20 threats following in the subsequent days, targeting various airlines.
IndiGo Confirms Threats
IndiGo, one of India’s largest airlines, confirmed that it received threats against six of its flights on Monday. Two of the threats were related to domestic routes, while four targeted international flights bound for Jeddah and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, and Istanbul, Turkey.
IndiGo emphasized that the safety of passengers and crew is its top priority and stated, “We are closely working with the relevant authorities and are taking all necessary precautions.”
Arrests and Ongoing Investigations
Reports indicate that at least one person, including a minor, has been arrested in connection with the threats. India’s Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, stated on Wednesday, “Everyone responsible for these disruptions will be identified and prosecuted accordingly.”
Threats from Anonymous Accounts
According to The Indian Express, an anonymous account on X (formerly known as Twitter) issued bomb threats against at least 40 flights on Friday and Saturday before the account was suspended. The messages included statements like “Bombs have been placed on the plane… No one will survive. Hurry and evacuate the plane.”
Among the affected flights was an Air India flight from Mumbai to New York, which landed safely on Saturday and was searched by U.S. security personnel. Additionally, on Tuesday, an Air India flight from New Delhi to Chicago was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit, in northern Canada.
Fighter Jets Deployed
On the same day, Singapore deployed fighter jets to escort an Air India Express flight. On Thursday, the UK’s Royal Air Force scrambled fighter jets in response to a bomb threat against an Air India Boeing 777-300, which later landed safely in London.
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