Surge in bomb hoaxes, Know how aviation security responds
New Delhi: A wave of consecutive bomb threats targeting multiple flights over the past week has disrupted airline operations and sparked serious concerns about aviation security protocols in India. Although all the threats were confirmed to be hoaxes, they caused significant delays and inconvenience for passengers and crew members, prompting airlines to initiate anti-terror protocols.
Airlines alerted the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and sought its support for a coordinated response to the threats. The disruptions have raised questions about handling such incidents, even when the probability of a real threat remains minimal.
“We are aware that 99.99 percent of these threats are false alarms. However, no one can afford to ignore the 0.01 percent chance that one may be genuine. This is why, despite stringent pre-departure checks at airports, we treat every threat with the utmost seriousness,” a senior MoCA official told The Indian Express.
When a mid-air flight receives a bomb threat, an immediate alert is issued, and the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) at the nearest airport convenes to evaluate the situation. Depending on the credibility of the threat, pilots coordinate with Air Traffic Control (ATC) to decide whether to return to the point of departure, proceed to the destination, or divert to an alternative airport.
For grounded flights facing similar threats, the aircraft is moved to a remote bay for thorough inspection under BTAC supervision. In cases involving international flights already beyond Indian airspace, Indian authorities collaborate with international ATC and security agencies to determine the next course of action, often diverting the flight to the nearest airport.
The spate of bomb hoaxes has prompted the Indian government and MoCA to explore long-term measures to prevent further disruptions. “These hoax threats are being taken very seriously by the aviation regulator. They are working toward identifying sustainable solutions,” said Asangba Chuba Ao, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, addressing reporters on Sunday.
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Two held for assaulting policemen over drinking in public
Bengaluru (PTI): Two police personnel on patrolling duty were allegedly abused and assaulted by a group of four youths after being asked not to consume alcohol in a public place, police said on Wednesday.
Two of the accused -- an engineering student and a software engineer, both in their 20s -- have been arrested in the case, they said.
Efforts are being made to nab the other two suspects, who have been identified, police added.
The incident occurred in the early hours of May 1, when the two personnel, attached to Amrutahalli police station, were patrolling on a two-wheeler near Akashavani Layout, they said.
According to police, while patrolling around 3 am, they noticed four youths who had stopped their car on the road and were consuming alcohol. When they were told to leave, as drinking alcohol in a public place is not permitted, one among them suddenly started abusing them.
When the policemen attempted to take out their lathi from the vehicle, the youths allegedly caught hold of them from behind, grabbed and dragged them, and tore one of their uniforms, the FIR stated.
They assaulted them with their hands and with rings worn, causing injuries to their faces. They also kicked them, causing pain, it said.
Thereafter, the accused allegedly snatched the key of their vehicle, pushed them to the ground, and fled the scene in their car at high speed, police said.
The policemen then immediately went to a hospital for treatment and lodged a complaint against four unknown youths, following which an FIR was registered against them under Sections 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter a public servant from duty), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 304 (snatching), and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
"We have arrested two people in the case and efforts are being made to nab the other two suspects who have been identified," a senior police officer said.
