New Delhi: The skies over India have been gripped by a wave of fear, as a string of hoax bomb threats have grounded flights and forced security protocols into overdrive. Three flights were targeted in less than 24 hours, taking the toll of such incidents to 35 this week.
A London-bound Vistara flight from Delhi (UK17) was diverted to Frankfurt after receiving a threat, while a Jaipur-Dubai Air India Express flight (IX 196) was delayed due to a similar incident. Meanwhile, an Akasa Air flight (QP 1366) from Bengaluru to Mumbai also faced a bomb threat, forcing a thorough security check before takeoff.
“Vistara flight UK17 operating from Delhi to London on October 18, 2024, received a security threat on social media. In line with the protocol, all relevant authorities were immediately informed and as a precautionary measure, the pilots decided to divert the flight to Frankfurt,” the spokesperson said.
While investigations are ongoing, the civil aviation ministry and authorities are taking a firm stance, implementing stricter security measures to prevent such incidents. The Ministry has revealed that most of the threats appear to be the work of minors and pranksters, with a 17-year-old boy already apprehended for issuing threats to four flights.
However, the impact of these hoaxes has been substantial. Flights have been delayed and diverted, and passengers have been subjected to heightened security checks, causing significant disruption and anxiety. The rising incidents have prompted the aviation Ministry to explore changes in rules and legislation to deter future threats.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has assured the public that there is no evidence of a coordinated conspiracy behind the threats adding that the minors and pranksters are behind the sheer number of incidents which resulted in disruption of air traffic causing troubles for the flyers.
“We can’t comment on a conspiracy but whatever little we have known, it (the threats) is coming from minors or some pranksters. For very little, petty things, they are trying to issue threats on social media or through phone calls. So these are isolated incidents, there is no kind of conspiracy we can comment on,” the minister said on Thursday.
