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Hoax bomb threats: Amid hoax bomb threats, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security met with representatives of airlines on Saturday in New Delhi. So far this week, over 70 flights operated by Indian airlines have received bomb threats.
“Indian skies are safe. The current protocol is robust and is being strictly followed. We reassure passengers that they should fly without any fear,” BCAS Director General Zulfiqar Hasan said.
Airline CEOs were also present there in the meeting. Security issues and other matters were discussed in the meeting. According to reports, the standard operating procedures regarding bomb threat handling procedures were discussed there.
The Aviation Safety Body asked SOPs to follow the procedure to deal with the threats.
On Saturday alone, more than 30 bomb threats came against flights operated by various airlines in India. The probe has tracked the IP addresses from which some of the threats were issued this week to places as diversified as London, Germany, Canada, and the US. The authorities are also investigating the use of VPNs by people to hide their actual locations.
Fresh guidelines for airlines on how to handle bomb threats are also expected to be released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
According to Cochin International Airport Ltd, more than 30 flights, including one that operated the Alliance Air Kochi-Bengaluru service, received bomb threats on Saturday. IndyGo, Akasa Air, Vistara, SpiceJet, Star Air, and Alliance Air operated flights that received bomb threats across the country during the day.
“Some of our flights flying on 19th October, 2024, were reported to get security alerts today. As per safety and security procedures all the passengers had to deplane since local authorities took necessary procedures,” said the statement of Akasa Air.
A 17-year-old boy was today taken into custody by the Mumbai Police for issuing threats to four flights, including international ones, on Monday.
Officials said he did it to frame one of his friends over money issues. In connection with the threats, dozens of FIRs have been registered by the Mumbai and Delhi Police. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu had said on Thursday that initial investigations do not point to conspiracy and most of the calls have been “made by minors and pranksters”.
“We cannot say if it’s a conspiracy but whatever little we have known, it 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,” he said.
The minister also added that steps will be taken so that “strict barriers” are there so that those trying to do these pranks won’t be able to.
