Minor Detained Over Airline Bomb Threats, Attempted to Frame Friend
The Mumbai Police have detained a 17-year-old boy in connection with a series of bomb threats issued to various airlines, which led to significant disruptions and flight diversions.
The minor, hailing from Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, allegedly made the threats to frame a friend with whom he had a financial dispute. The threats, which began on Monday, prompted emergency responses, including the diversion of an Air India flight to a remote airport in Canada.
Teenager Allegedly Used Social Media to Issue Threats
According to police sources, the minor created a fake social media account on X (formerly Twitter) using the identity of his friend and posted bomb threats aimed at several airlines. The boy and his father were summoned to Mumbai for questioning on Tuesday. While the teenager has been taken into custody and placed in a remand home, his father remains under police interrogation.
At least 12 bomb threats have been reported since Monday, leading to the registration of three First Information Reports (FIRs) by Mumbai Police. The initial threats targeted four flights, three of which were international. Among the impacted flights was Air India flight AI 119 from Mumbai to New York, which was diverted to New Delhi. Another flight was canceled due to the threats.
Multiple Flights Diverted, Delhi Police Also Involved
The threats continued on Tuesday, affecting seven additional flights, including Air India flight AI 127 from Delhi to Chicago, which was diverted to Iqaluit airport in Canada. An IndiGo flight from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to Lucknow made an emergency landing in Jaipur. Other impacted airlines included Air India Express, Akasa Air, and Alliance Air.
The bomb threats persisted into Wednesday, causing further disruptions. An Akasa Air flight from New Delhi to Bengaluru was forced to return to the capital, while an Indigo flight from Mumbai to Delhi was diverted to Ahmedabad.
Ongoing Investigations and Parliamentary Review
The Delhi Police have registered several FIRs related to the bomb threats. The matter was also discussed during a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport on Wednesday. Aviation officials informed the committee members that they have identified critical leads and potential suspects in connection with the hoax threats.
The series of incidents has raised concerns over aviation security and led to increased scrutiny from law enforcement agencies. The authorities continue to investigate the motivations behind the threats and the minor’s attempt to frame his friend, with a focus on ensuring the safety of passengers and airline operations.
