Bomb threats to airlines: Minor held, ‘revenge’ suspected; Minister Rammohan Naidu says ‘others will be duly prosecuted’

A 17-year-old boy was held on Wednesday in connection with the bomb threats issued to airlines in the past three days. The minor allegedly sent bomb threats to four flights using a fake social media account. He reportedly had planned to take revenge on his friend over money dispute.

Sources told News 18 that the minor had some dispute with his friend over money. The minor allegedly made an account on X in his friend’s name to send threats on October 14, sources said. He was apprehended on Wednesday, the report added.

The minor was arrested from Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon and agencies are verifying if there is a larger conspiracy behind these threats.

Bomb threats to flights

The development came against the backdrop of at least 19 flights operated by Indian carriers receiving bomb threats in three days that later turned out to be hoax.

On Monday, three international flights originating from Mumbai received bomb threats. While a New York-bound Air India flight was diverted to New Delhi and rescheduled, the other two, both operated by IndiGo, were delayed by several hours.

While a New York-bound Air India flight was diverted to New Delhi and rescheduled, the other two to Muscat and Jeddah, both operated by IndiGo, were delayed by several hours as the planes were moved to isolation bays for security checks.

On Tuesday, seven flights, including one bound for the United States, received bomb-threat messages through a social media handle on Tuesday, prompting security agencies to undertake specific counter-terrorist drills at various airports, official sources told news agency PTI.

Earlier on Wednesday, a Bengaluru-bound Akasa Air flight from Delhi was forced to return to Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, following a bomb threat. A Mumbai-Delhi IndiGo flight was also redirected to Ahmedabad due to a security-related alert.

Bomb threats posted on X

Earlier, Mumbai police had issued a notice to the teenage boy, his father and another person from Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh to join questioning in connection with bomb threats posted on social media targeting three flights.

"On Monday, a bomb threat was posted on X for an Air India's Mumbai-New York flight and IndiGo's Mumbai to Muscat and Mumbai to Jeddah flights," Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg said.

“After receiving information about the tweet's connection with Rajnandgaon, Raipur Cyber Cell, and Rajnandgaon's Kotwali Police and Cyber Cell collected electronic data related to the case,” he said.

"A team of Mumbai police reached Rajnandgaon on Monday. With the help of Rajnandgaon police, a notice was issued to a 17-year-old boy, who is a resident of the city, his father, and the person whose X account was used. They were summoned for questioning and further action to Mumbai," the official said.

The Mumbai police have registered a case against an unidentified person and the X handle.

Union minister Rammohan Naidu reacts

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Wednesday that law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing all cases of bomb threats against airlines and the government is closely monitoring the situation. He also said the Mumbai police have arrested a minor responsible for issuing bomb threats targeting three flights.

"All others responsible for the disruptions will be identified and duly prosecuted," the minister was quoted by news agency PTI as saying. Condemning any attempt to compromise the safety, security and operational integrity of the aviation sector, Naidu also said that he is monitoring the situation regularly.

On Monday, Naidu chaired a high-level meeting that was attended by officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Ministry of Home Affairs and Civil Aviation.

"I assure all the stakeholders, including passengers and industry partners, that every possible effort is being made to safeguard the operations. "We are committed to enhancing security measures and maintaining seamless coordination with global security agencies," the minister said.

Delhi Police also takes action

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police said an FIR has been registered under sections 217 and 351(4) of the BNS, as well as section 3(1)(d) of The Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982, in connection with the recent hoax bomb threat concerning Akasa Air flight.

“A detailed investigation is currently underway. Additionally, after coordination with the concerned social media platform, all accounts responsible for spreading these false threats have been suspended to prevent further misuse and ensure public safety,” the Delhi Police added.

(With inputs from PTI)