10 Flights Hit by Bomb Threats in 48 Hours

Ten Indian flights, including an Air India aircraft with over 200 passengers, faced bomb threats in the past 48 hours. The threats, which were later confirmed as hoaxes, prompted security agencies to conduct targeted counter-terrorism drills at various airports. Security protocols were quickly activated, and several flights were diverted to safer locations. Cybersecurity agencies suspended the X account responsible for the threats, and investigations are ongoing.

10 Flights Hit by Bomb Threats in 48 Hours

In the last 48 hours, ten flights, including an Air India aircraft with 211 passengers traveling from Delhi to Chicago, received bomb threats via social media, leading security agencies to conduct targeted counter-terrorism drills at various airports. On Tuesday, seven threats were reported through the social media platform X, while three international flights departing from Mumbai faced similar threats on Monday. These messages were later confirmed as hoaxes.

Among the flights affected were IndiGo flight 6E 56 from Mumbai to Jeddah, which was taken to an isolated bay, prompting immediate security checks according to standard procedures. Other flights targeted included Air India Express IX765 from Jaipur to Bengaluru (via Ayodhya), SpiceJet SG116 from Darbhanga to Mumbai, Akasa Air QP1373 from Bagdogra to Bengaluru, IndiGo flight 6E98 from Dammam (Saudi Arabia) to Lucknow, Alliance Air 9I650 from Amritsar to Dehradun, and Air India Express IX684 from Madurai to Singapore.

10 Flights Hit by Bomb Threats in 48 Hours  In response to the threats, security protocols were quickly activated, following directives from the Government-appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee. Cybersecurity agencies suspended the X account responsible for the threats. Notably, Singapore dispatched two F-15 fighter jets to escort Air India Express flight IX684 away from populated areas, which safely landed at Changi Airport around 10:04 PM on Tuesday, with investigations ongoing.

Additionally, an Akasa Air flight landed safely at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after receiving a bomb threat, while another Air India flight was redirected to Iqaluit Airport in Canada due to an online threat. IndiGo flight 6E98 from Dammam to Lucknow was diverted to Jaipur Airport after a bomb threat. Alliance Air confirmed that all necessary precautions were being taken for their Amritsar-Dehradun-Delhi flight, which was undergoing security checks at Dehradun Airport.

On Monday, threats were made from four accounts against three international flights from Mumbai. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has teamed up with Indian cybersecurity agencies and law enforcement to identify those behind the threats. The Mumbai Police have issued notices to a teenager, his father, and another individual from Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh for questioning regarding the threats aimed at the three flights on Monday.

One Air India flight headed to New York was diverted to New Delhi, and two IndiGo flights experienced delays, although no suspicious items were found on any aircraft, according to police reports. Additionally, two IndiGo flights bound for Muscat and Jeddah also received bomb threats prior to departure, resulting in their relocation to isolation bays for security inspections.

An IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Delhi was diverted to Ahmedabad on Wednesday due to a bomb threat, which was later determined to be a hoax. An airport official indicated that the threat was communicated through a tweet shortly after the aircraft, carrying nearly 200 passengers and crew, took off from Mumbai on Tuesday night. Following the alert from Mumbai Air Traffic Control, the pilots opted to make an emergency landing at Ahmedabad, the closest airport on their route to Delhi.