There was a major security scare across several airports in the country, including the national capital, following a phone call from the US that 11 aircraft of private carrier IndiGo could be in the d
There was a major security scare across several airports in the country, including the national capital, following a phone call from the US that 11 aircraft of private carrier IndiGo could be in the danger of being blown up. Airline sources were cited by news agencies as saying the caller, who identified himself only as Smith from the US, said at least 11 flights of IndiGo, which were either ready for take off or had already departed from around 10 airports, were facing bomb threat from a woman flyer. One of the flights (Srinagar-Jammu-Delhi) named by the caller that had landed in the capital was taken to an isolation bay at the Delhi airport and thoroughly searched but nothing dangerous was found. Some of the other flights named by the caller had already taken off from Delhi by then. Sources said the call was later found to be a hoax.
The threat was for flights emanating from major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Srinagar, Vadodara, Guwahati, Goa and Kochi, the sources were cited as saying.
“As many as 11 IndiGo flights were grounded today (at various airports) after the airline’s call centre at Chennai received a message about bomb threat. The caller, who identified himself as one Smith from the US, said that a woman passenger allegedly belonging to the ISI of Pakistan was carrying a bomb and could blow up one of the aircraft,” sources were quoted by news agencies, as saying.
In a statement, IndiGo said its call-centre at Chennai received a bomb threat call at 11.13 hours and within minutes the security agencies were informed. IndiGo said, “All our passengers are safe.”
According to reports, security agencies were carrying out extensive search on these planes across nine airports.
Soon after the call was made, the Bomb Threat Assessment Committees (BTAC) at different airports swung into action. The planes, which were mentioned by the caller, were isolated and subject to vigorous checks.
According to news agency reports, the 11 flights are Vadodara-Delhi (6E 591), Kochi-Delhi (516), Delhi-Srinagar (853), Delhi-Chennai (443), Ahmedabad-Kolkata (135), Delhi-Mumbai (223), Chennai-Mumbai (612), Delhi-Goa (329), Guwahati-Delhi (571), Delhi-Ahmedabad (161) and Delhi-Vadodara (734).
“We are actively engaged in working very closely with the concerned agencies. We can assure you that our operations are safe...” IndiGo was quoted as saying.
According to the airline, there are certain laid down procedures to be followed by the airlines, airports and other government authorities and “all such procedures were followed and are being followed”. “We have commenced additional security measures as per our laid down procedures,” it added.
Yesterday, a call was received about bomb threat to five Jet Airways flights from Delhi, barely hours after the explosions at Brussels airport, but it turned out to be a hoax.
