K Rammohan Naidu
– Photo: ANI (File)
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Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said on Wednesday that law enforcement agencies are actively investigating all bomb threat cases and the government is closely monitoring the situation. Recently, at least 19 flights faced bomb threats within a span of three days. However, these threats later proved to be false. Mumbai Police has arrested a minor for threatening to target three flights.
Whoever is responsible for such threats will be identified and appropriate action will be taken, the Union minister said in a statement. He expressed his deep concern over the recent cases of threats to target flights. Nayud condemned any attempts to compromise the integrity of the safety and operations of the aviation sector and said he was regularly monitoring the situation.
Naidu chaired a high-level meeting on Monday, which was attended by officials from the Directorate General of Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Aviation Ministry. The minister said, I assure all stakeholders that every possible effort is being made to ensure the security of operations. He further said, we are committed to enhancing security measures and maintaining coordination with global security agencies.
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Investigation started in case of seven fake threats
Delhi Police has registered an FIR in connection with bomb threats on several domestic and international flights in the last two days and has started investigating the matter. Official sources gave this information on Wednesday. A Bengaluru-bound flight of Akasa Air, carrying more than 180 passengers, returned to the national capital on Wednesday evening after receiving a bomb threat.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI) Usha Ranganani said, “The airport police has taken action on seven incidents related to bomb threats this month. After thorough verification and inspection, all the threats were proven to be hoaxes.” He said, “Legal action has been initiated against those responsible for these false threats so that strict measures can be taken to ensure the safety of passengers and the airport.” “Smooth operations can be maintained.”
According to sources, an FIR has been registered at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport police station after receiving bomb threats on different flights through social media accounts in the last two days. He said that the police have identified the people operating the social media handles and teams are working to arrest them.
A police official said that these planes were scheduled to fly to different countries and domestic destinations.
In the last two days, about 12 Indian flights, including some international ones, received bomb threats, although nothing suspicious was found during a search of the planes. Police said that the number of FIRs may increase. Meanwhile, the issue of multiple threats received by various airlines was raised before a parliamentary committee on Wednesday and the Civil Aviation Secretary told MPs that the accused were being identified and action would be taken against them.
