Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) faced panic on Saturday morning after reports of a bomb threat. Authorities later confirmed that the alert was false and part of a hoax that caused unnecessary chaos and flight disruption.
Bomb Threat Email Triggers Panic
Officials said the Airport Operations Control Center received a threat email around 5:25 a.m. The message came from an account named Papita Rajan and warned of onboard LTTE-ISI operatives planning an attack similar to the 1984 Madras airport blast.
Flight Diverted as Emergency Protocols Begin
The email had the subject line “Prevent landing of IndiGo 68 to Hyderabad” and mentioned explosives and nerve gas. Following emergency procedures, IndiGo flight 6E 68 from Jeddah was diverted to Mumbai, where it landed safely under full security supervision.
Security Teams Find No Explosives
The Bomb Threat Assessment Committee held an urgent virtual meeting and treated the message as a specific threat. Security officials searched the aircraft and airport thoroughly but found no suspicious objects or substances.
Police Begin Investigation Into Hoax
Police have registered a case and started tracing the source of the hoax email. Authorities have assured that all necessary security measures remain in place to protect passengers and prevent similar incidents.
Call for Stronger Cybersecurity Measures
The quick coordination between IndiGo and airport teams ensured everyone’s safety. However, frequent hoax threats highlight the urgent need for better cyber monitoring and stricter laws against spreading false information.
