The government is working on a mechanism to deal with hoax bomb threats to airlines to avoid problems to passengers due to delays and diversions, sources have told CNN-News18, noting that such fraud calls have serious implications.
On Tuesday, seven flights, including one bound for the United States, received bomb-threat messages through a social media handle, prompting security agencies to undertake specific counter-terrorist drills at various airports, official sources said.
The threats via microblogging platform X came a day after three international flights originating from Mumbai received bomb threats, causing trouble to hundreds of passengers and airline crew. The messages were later declared a hoax.
The sources said an X handle issued threats on Tuesday to seven flights — an Air India Express flight from Jaipur to Bengaluru via Ayodhya (IX765), a SpiceJet flight from Darbhanga to Mumbai (SG116), an Akasa Air flight from Bagdogra to Bengaluru (QP 1373), an Air India flight from Delhi to Chicago (AI 127), an Indigo flight from Dammam (Saudi Arabia) to Lucknow (6E 98), an Alliance Air Amritsar-Dehradun-Delhi flight (9I 650) and an Air India Express flight (IX 684) from Madurai to Singapore.
Government sources said agencies have been asked to work out a proper mechanism so that delays and diversions are avoided due to such fake calls.
“The recent trend suggests that these calls are mostly hoax. A threat-assessment mechanism has to be worked out to deal with the problem. Agencies and airlines will work together in case such calls are repeated. The assessment will help grade the threat call and act accordingly,” they said.
For now, agencies feel most of the take-offs are only after fool-proof security check. “Once this system is implemented, everyone concerned will be trained accordingly for a graded response.”
There is no clarity yet on expert staff flying with sensitive flights to deal with a similar situation.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Mumbai Police served a notice to a teenage boy, his father, and another person from Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh asking them to join questioning in connection with bomb threats posted on social media targeting three flights.
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