Bomb threats continue to target Indian airlines, with Air India, Vistara, and IndiGo being among the over 100 flights threatened. The threats, mostly received through social media platforms, have been causing disruptions and security concerns for the aviation industry in India.
In the past 16 days alone, more than 510 domestic and international flights have been targeted with bomb threats. Air India received threats for approximately 36 flights, while Vistara and IndiGo airlines received threats for 35 and 32 flights respectively. This wave of threats has prompted heightened security measures at multiple airports across the country.
On October 28, additional bomb threats were received by different Indian airlines, with IndiGo receiving 21 threats, Air India receiving 20 threats, and Vistara receiving 20 threats. The situation has become a cause for concern, with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) being brought in to investigate the series of threats that have been plaguing the Indian aviation sector.
In response to the increasing number of hoax bomb threats, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has stated that the government is considering banning perpetrators who engage in such activities from flying. International agencies, law enforcement bodies, and the IB are being called upon to assist in tracking down the individuals behind these threats.
One of the challenges faced in identifying the culprits is the use of virtual private networks (VPN) and the dark web, which make the perpetrators untraceable. To address this issue, the Centre is contemplating amendments to existing civil aviation laws to better tackle the threat of hoax bomb threats to Indian airlines.
With the safety and security of passengers and airline staff at stake, it is crucial for authorities to swiftly address these threats and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. The ongoing investigations by the IB and efforts to collaborate with international agencies demonstrate a commitment to addressing the issue and safeguarding the aviation industry in India.
