DELHI- Mumbai police have detained a 17-year-old (teen) boy who disrupted multiple international flights by posting bomb threats on social media platform X.
The threats forced Air India (AI) and IndiGo Airlines (6E) to delay and divert several flights.
Indian Teen Behind Bomb Threats
Police investigators traced the social media accounts to the teenage suspect from Chhattisgarh, central India. Authorities have transferred him to Mumbai, where he will remain in custody until October 24.
Zone 8 Deputy Commissioner Maneesh Kalwaniya revealed that a financial dispute motivated the threats. The teenager targeted a business associate, Fazluddin Nirban, by creating fake X accounts incorporating Nirban’s name to send the threats.
The suspect claimed through these accounts that three international flights carried 6kg of RDX explosive material and six terrorists. The targeted flights included Air India AI119 from Mumbai to New York, IndiGo 6E1275 from Mumbai to Muscat, and IndiGo 6E57 from Mumbai to Jeddah.
The threats triggered immediate security responses. IndiGo delayed both its flights, while Air India diverted its New York-bound aircraft. Police have also detained Nirban for questioning as part of their ongoing investigation into the incident.
20 Security Threats in a Week
A surge of bomb threats has disrupted Indian aviation operations, with approximately 20 flights receiving hoax threats this week.
Monday’s security crisis affected three international flights from Mumbai. Air India diverted its New York-bound flight to New Delhi, while IndiGo moved two aircraft to isolation bays for security checks, delaying flights to Muscat and Jeddah.
Tuesday intensified the situation when seven additional flights, including one U.S.-bound aircraft, received threats through social media. Security agencies implemented counter-terrorist protocols across multiple airports in response.
The disruptions continued into Wednesday as around eight flights received the threat. An Akasa Air (QP) flight returned to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport following a bomb threat, while IndiGo diverted its Mumbai-Delhi service to Ahmedabad due to security concerns. Also, a Vistara Airlines (UK) flight from Frankfurt to Mumbai operated by 787 gets a bomb threat
The Raipur and Rajnandgaon Cyber Cells gathered electronic evidence linking the threats to Rajnandgaon. Mumbai Police coordinated with local authorities to question the suspects, focusing on the 17-year-old resident and his associates.
Civil Aviation Minister in Action
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced aggressive law enforcement action against perpetrators of recent airline bomb threats, confirming the arrest of a minor in Mumbai for threatening three flights.
The minister pledged to identify and prosecute all individuals responsible for disrupting aviation operations. Naidu emphasized his direct oversight of the situation while condemning attempts to compromise aviation security.
A high-level security meeting convened on Monday brought together key aviation authorities. Representatives from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Central Industrial Security Force, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Civil Aviation assembled to address the crisis.
Naidu assured stakeholders of enhanced security measures and strengthened coordination with global security agencies to protect aviation operations.
Cases under Investigations
The Delhi Police has launched a criminal investigation into the Akasa Air bomb threat, filing charges under sections 217 and 351(4) of the BNS and section 3(1)(d) of The Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982.
Law enforcement has coordinated with social media platforms to suspend accounts linked to the threats, preventing further security disruptions. The Delhi Police continues its detailed investigation into the source and spread of these hoax threats.
PS: We request all individuals to stop such hoax calls, these things affect hundreds of people, disrupt air operations, and create a bad reputation for India in the world. Those behind this will have a fixed destination, i.e. behind bars in Jail. So by watching and reading the news for bomb calls, don’t do it for fun as it’s a serious offense.
Media are covering this news as it’s their job but people should know that talking about bombs or other security-related words on social media or in flight can cause serious damage to the airline and you will be punished for it.
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