In a shocking series of events, ten Indian flights, including an Air India plane carrying 211 passengers from Delhi to Chicago, received bomb threat messages through social media handles over the past 48 hours. The threats prompted swift action from security agencies, with specific counter-terrorist drills undertaken at various airports.
Singapore Deploys Fighter Jets to Escort Air India Express Plane
In a dramatic turn of events, the Singapore Armed Forces scrambled two fighter jets to escort an Air India Express plane away from populated areas before it landed safely at Changi Airport. Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen confirmed the incident on social media, stating that investigations are ongoing.
Threats Issued via Social Media Handle
Seven threats were posted on microblogging platform X on Tuesday, following three similar threats on Monday. The messages claimed bombs were placed on flights operated by Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, IndiGo, and Alliance Air. The X handle has since been suspended by the platform after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) intervened.
The threatened flights include:
- Air India Express IX765 (Jaipur to Bengaluru via Ayodhya)
- SpiceJet SG116 (Darbhanga to Mumbai)
- Akasa Air QP1373 (Bagdogra to Bengaluru)
- Air India AI127 (Delhi to Chicago)
- IndiGo 6E98 (Dammam to Lucknow)
- Alliance Air 9I650 (Amritsar to Dehradun)
- Air India Express IX684 (Madurai to Singapore)
The BCAS has sought help from Indian cyber-security agencies and police to trace the person or people behind the threats. The Mumbai Police has served notices to a teenage boy and two others in connection with Monday’s bomb threats.