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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
