Vistara's London-Delhi flight receives bomb threat; plane lands safely in national capital
New Delhi, Oct 9: A Vistara plane carrying nearly 290 passengers from London to Delhi on Wednesday received a bomb threat, which turned out to be a hoax following a thorough inspection of the aircraft after it landed safely at the airport in the national capital, according to sources.
The sources said that a piece of paper with a message about a bomb onboard the plane was found in one of the lavatories, and the relevant authorities were immediately informed.
Delhi Police said standard security protocols were followed, and a thorough inspection was conducted.
"No suspicious items were found," it said in a statement.
The Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC) at Delhi was informed about the bomb threat at 0845 hours and later the aircraft landed safely at the airport at 1145 hours.
"It was informed that a note was discovered in the lavatory of the flight with the message: 'BOMB THIS FLIGHT'," Delhi Police said, adding that all passengers disembarked without incident.
The sources said there were nearly 290 passengers in the Boeing 787 aircraft.
Soon after the paper with the threat message was discovered while the aircraft was in the air, the crew carried out a search but did not find anything suspicious. So, it was decided that there was no need for diversion, and the aircraft continued to fly to Delhi, they added.
An airline spokesperson said a security concern was noted by its staff operating the flight UK 018 while it was coming from London to Delhi.
In line with the protocol, the relevant authorities were immediately informed, and the aircraft was taken to the isolation bay for mandatory checks after landing safely at the Delhi airport.
"We fully cooperated with the relevant authorities in completing the necessary security checks," the spokesperson said in a statement.
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.
Beauty of democracy: Tharoor congratulates BJP on civic body poll win in his constituency
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday, while lauding the win of the UDF in Kerala local bodies elections, also congratulated the BJP for its historic performance in his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, calling it the "beauty of democracy".
In a post on X, he said the people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in his constituency.
"What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through.
"A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020," Tharoor said.
He said he also acknowledges the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and "offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city corporation - a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital's political landscape."
Tharoor said he campaigned for a change from 45 years of the LDF "misrule", but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance.
"That is the beauty of democracy. The people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency.
"We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the people's needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards!" Tharoor, who is the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said.
The lotus bloomed in the state capital as the BJP-led NDA achieved a resounding win in the polls for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, snatching it from the CPI(M)-led LDF and marking an end to 45 years of continuous Left rule in the local body.
The win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will act as a boost for the BJP in the 2026 Assembly polls, especially in the state capital.
Of the 101 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP won 50, LDF 29, UDF 19 and two wards were won by independent candidates.
The BJP is one seat short of a decisive majority in the corporation.
Besides this, the NDA retained the Palakkad municipality after a close battle with the Congress-led UDF and wrested the Thrippunithura Municipality from the grand old party.
In Thrissur, from where Suresh Gopi won in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the BJP won 18 out of the 46 wards in Kodungallur Municipality, eight in Thrissur Corporation, two each in Guruvayoor and Vadakkancherry municipalities, seven in Kunnamkulam Municipality, six in Irinjalakuda Municipality and one in Chalakudy Municipality.
