DELHI- Indian Airlines continues to face an unprecedented security challenge as 50 commercial flights received bomb threats today on Sunday (October 27, 2024), marking a surge in such incidents with over 350 threats reported in the past two weeks.
These threats primarily emerge through social media platforms, targeting multiple airline operators across the country.
Indian Airlines Bomb Threat Today
Akasa Air (QP) confirmed security alerts affecting 15 of its flights, while IndiGo (6E) and Vistara (UK) encountered threats to 18 and 17 flights respectively.
Security teams conducted thorough aircraft inspections, clearing all Akasa Air aircraft for continued flight operations following standard safety protocols.
Many flights declared an emergency following the security threats and some were forced to divert to a nearby airport.
The Information Technology Ministry has responded by directing social media platforms to exercise enhanced vigilance. These platforms must now comply with strict IT rules requiring immediate removal of threat-related misinformation within specified timeframes.
The Civil Aviation Ministry advances plans for legislative reform to combat these hoax threats. These new measures aim to strengthen the legal framework against individuals or groups issuing false security alerts to airlines.
25-year old Arrested
Delhi Police arrested 25-year-old Shubham Upadhyay for sending bomb threat messages targeting flights at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Upadhyay, an unemployed resident of Uttam Nagar with a Class 12 education, transmitted two threatening emails during the night of October 26-27.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Usha Rangnani confirmed the immediate implementation of security protocols upon receiving the threats. Authorities quickly determined these threats were hoaxes.
Police registered a case under the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Investigators traced the threatening messages to Upadhyay’s email account through technical surveillance and manual intelligence. During interrogation, Upadhyay admitted sending the messages after viewing similar incidents on television broadcasts, attempting to gain attention through these threats.
Delhi Police has documented eight separate FIRs related to bomb threats affecting over 100 domestic and international flights within the past ten days.
The initial case emerged on October 16 when a Bengaluru-bound Akasa Air flight carrying 180 passengers received threats through the X platform, forcing the aircraft to return to Delhi.
DCP Rangnani emphasized the maintenance of comprehensive security measures at the airport, urging public vigilance and cooperation with authorities.
Hotels Also Getting Threats
Multiple luxury hotels in Lucknow received bomb threat emails demanding a ransom of $55,000 (Rs 4,624,288). The threatening message warned of explosives hidden in black bags throughout the hotel premises, threatening detonation if payment demands remain unmet.
The affected establishments include prominent hotels Marriott, Saraca, Piccadily, Comfort Vista, Fortune, Lemon Tree, Clark Awadh, Casa, Dayal Gateway, and Silvette. Hotel management teams immediately alerted local law enforcement, initiating rapid security responses across all threatened locations.
This incident follows recent bomb threats targeting three hotels in Tirupati’s temple district. Those threats referenced international pressure related to Jaffer Sadiq’s arrest and alleged connections to MK Stalin’s family. The perpetrators claimed these threats aimed to divert attention from ongoing investigations.
Similar threats emerged last month at Bengaluru’s Taj West End Hotel, prompting the immediate deployment of bomb squads and sniffer dogs. Authorities later confirmed that the threat was a hoax after thorough inspections.
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