New Delhi: The menace of bomb threats aimed at Indian airlines continues with three more flights receiving alarming threats on Saturday. One of the mentioned flights was that of Hyderabad to Chandigarh which also had to land safely as it was informed of a security threat. The plane was immediately surrounded and all the passengers disembarked without incident.
As per the sources, the security alarm regarding a potential security threat was raised on a Hyderabad to Chandigarh flight and this raised a furore at Chandigarh airport. After the plane landed on the ground it was surrounded by local police, security agencies and ordnance disposal squads. Everybody was evacuated unhurt from the plane, which was then searched for possible explosives.
Increased Bomb Threats Since October 14
As many as 70 more flights have been threatened with a bomb, and the aviation industry has been affected since October 14th. IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India and SpiceJet have all been threatened by these factors to some extent. They come in the wake of similar incidents that occurred early this week including a major on Tuesday that saw an Air India flight 101 from Delhi to Chicago compelled to land at a remote airport in Canada after receiving an anonymous bomb threat.
Likewise, the IndiGo Airlines flight originating from Saudi Arabia to Lucknow intermediate landing was made at Jaipur and another Air India Express to Ayodhya was diverted. The good news is that there were no actual explosive devices in any of these occasions.
Offices Cracking Down on Origin of Threats
According to the information availed to this publication, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has since engaged law enforcement in efforts to trace the origin of these bomb threats. These might have been pranks, officials think, but such calls are being investigated and handled with extreme caution for potential dangers to passengers onboard.
Proposals are being made to analyse and find out who is responsible and as per sources, people involved in making these threats may end up facing stiff action and more including being put into the “do not fly list.”
Aviation Sector on High Alert
This wave of bomb threats is putting India’s aviation trade under pressure. It has become almost normal to hear about added security measures, emergency landings and precautionary evacations are being made all in the name of protecting the passengers. The scenario has raised high alertivities at the country’s airports and has caused operational setbacks for many airlines resulting in delays and cut-short flights.