Bomb hoax on Patna-bound IndiGo flight

A hoax bomb call delayed an Indigo flight bound to Patna Tuesday morning at the Indira Gandhi International airport. Reportedly the call was made by a passenger who wished to delay the flight since he was running late for it. The passenger is absconding.

According to police, the caller has been identified as I Pramod whose wife works as a medical officer in the Army corps in Danapur, Patna.

Police said Prasad made the PCR call from his own mobile number at 11.57 am informing that there was a bomb on board the Patna bound Indigo aircraft 6E 148. A call was then made to the Delhi Police Control Room at 12.05 pm informing them of the situation.

A high alert was sounded at the airport following which security agencies immediately swung into action. A Bomb Threat assessment committee meeting was convened immediately and the bomb threat was declared to be specific, sources said.

Immediately agencies including officers from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Delhi Police and security staff of the Indigo airlines rushed their teams to the airport where the 138 passengers on board the aircraft were offloaded along with their baggage. Sniffer dogs were brought in and in an operation that lasted a few hours, the call was declared to be a hoax.

Special Commissioner of Police (Operations) TN Mohan said, "The call was a hoax. The call has been identified as I Pramod. He is presently absconding."

Sources said, Pramod booked the ticket through the Internet and gave his own mobile number. He booked his flight in the concessional quota since his wife works for the Army in Patna.

Sources said Pramod had gone to Sonepat two days ago to look for a job. "He didn't get the job and was to reach Delhi this morning to take the flight. However, he had got late and therefore decided to make the call to delay the flight," said an airport official.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Pawar to seek special package for state

Verdict in Dec 16 rape case expected by month-end: Neeraj Kumar

China incursion: Both sides withdraw troops from Daulat Beg Oldi sector

Sonia Gandhi consults A K Antony on Pawan Bansal issue