India engages U.S.- interpol to investigate surge in airline bomb hoax threats
New Delhi: In response to over 400 recent bomb threat hoaxes targeting domestic and international flights in India, the Indian government has sought investigative support from the U.S. and Interpol to trace the origins of the calls. New Delhi is reportedly pursuing potential links to pro-Khalistani groups based in the U.S., especially following a recent broadcast by Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who called for a boycott of Air India from November 1-19, aiming to “economically destroy India.”
Sources indicate that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has already begun collaborating with Indian authorities, working to trace calls and emails sent to airlines via social media platforms. Between October 13 and October 28 alone, over 410 flights operated by Indian carriers received bomb threats, with Air India being a primary target. A U.S. Embassy spokesperson in Delhi confirmed the cooperative effort, stating that American law enforcement is assisting in tracking threats affecting U.S. citizens on Indian flights.
In addition to support from the U.S., Indian officials have reached out to Interpol for assistance in obtaining information from Germany and the U.K., where VPN servers connected to the hoax calls are reportedly located. Indian investigators hope to gather data on these virtual networks to advance their probe.
The FBI’s cooperation comes during a sensitive period in India-U.S. relations, following a recent trial involving an Indian official and a businessman accused of an assassination plot against Pannun. India has strongly denied these allegations and appointed a high-level inquiry led by Deputy National Security Adviser Pankaj Singh, who recently traveled to the U.S. for discussions.
Wanted by India since 2020, Pannun has faced multiple charges under India’s Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, including promoting secessionism and inciting communal enmity. Despite his frequent social media broadcasts targeting Indian government agencies and leaders, U.S. authorities have not detained Pannun, citing free speech protections and insufficient evidence linking his statements to terror operations.
In his latest broadcast, Pannun urged followers to disrupt schools managed by the Central Reserve Police Force and Kendriya Vidyalayas in Delhi and Punjab, allegedly targeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
