Centre pulls up Meta and X as over 300 flights face bombing threats in less than two weeks: ‘Within 72 hours…’

More than 300 flights in India have received bomb threats over the past 13 days — causing extensive delays and leaving thousands of passengers in the lurch. Most of the threats were issued via social media and the Indian government has asked Meta and X to share data about the messages. Meity also issued an advisory on Saturday evening reminding such platforms of their responsibilities under the IT rules and BNSS.

The Centre noted that Meta, X and other stakeholders were expected to ‘promptly remove or disable access to misinformation’ within strict timelines and mandatorily report offences that may have been committed by an user. They are also obligated to provide information under their control or possession and assist investigative agencies within stipulated timeline of up to 72 hours under IT rules.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu had also indicated earlier this week that the government planned to take legislative actions to deal with instances of bomb threats to airlines — including placing perpetrators of such threats in the no-fly list.

The barrage of threat messages have left civil aviation stakeholders alarmed and disrupted operations as most major airports over the past two weeks. Thousands of passengers have also been forced to contend with extensive delays as the warnings forced officials to undertake thorough inspections. Some planes were also forced to make emergency landings after receiving bomb threats in mid-air.

Earlier on Wednesday, an unidentified caller had also threatened to blow up the Dumna airport at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. Hoax messages have also affected the same route multiple times in some cases.

Unknown miscreants threatened to blow up Indigo flight 6E133 from Pune to Jodhpur on Wednesday — for the second time this week. The plane landed at the isolation bay of Jodhpur airport before being searched by police and CISF officials. A bomb disposal squad and a dog squad were also called to the scene. Officials said passengers' luggage as well as every nook and corner of the flight was thoroughly searched before the plane was allowed take off for its further destination.

(With inputs from agencies)