The Ahmedabad Police Crime Branch is investigating two hoax bomb threats targeting international IndiGo Airlines flights at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on November 11, 2023, and February 10, 2024. Authorities are looking into the possibility of an inside job, suspecting a disgruntled employee may be involved.
An official familiar with the investigation stated, “Both threats turned out to be hoaxes. The recent February 10 threat alone is estimated to have cost the airline ₹50-60 lakh in losses.”
Hoax Threats and Their Impact
On February 10, an immigration form with a tissue paper attached bearing the message ‘bomb is here’ was found at the airport after a Jeddah-Ahmedabad flight landed. The threat led to a five-hour-long security check for 180 passengers, handwriting sample collection, and extensive flight delays of up to eight hours, disrupting multiple other flights.
Similarly, on November 11, a crew member discovered a paper inside the toilet with the word ‘bomb’ just before takeoff on an Ahmedabad-Jeddah flight. Both cases were later declared hoaxes, but authorities are treating them seriously.
Crime Branch Investigation Underway
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bharat Patel stated that the Crime Branch has taken over the case due to its severity. Investigators have interrogated pilots, crew members, passengers, loaders, and cleaning staff from both flights, collecting handwriting samples for forensic analysis.
“We suspect a passenger or an airline staff member, including cleaning or loading crew, might be involved. A technical investigation is underway, and call records of employees are also being analyzed,” Patel added.
The authorities are focusing on passengers who had connecting flights from Lucknow on the November 2023 flight. The forensic team is assisting in verifying evidence, and officials expect a breakthrough soon in identifying the perpetrator.
Security Concerns at Airports
These incidents highlight the growing security challenges at Indian airports and the need for stricter monitoring to prevent unnecessary disruptions caused by hoax threats. Investigations are ongoing, and officials are urging the public to avoid spreading false alarms, which can lead to severe legal consequences.
Sources By Agencies