New Delhi, India: A bomb threat email sent to IndiGo Airlines on Tuesday sparked a high-security alert across five major Indian airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram. The message, which claimed explosives had been planted at multiple locations, prompted emergency responses and heightened screening measures, authorities confirmed.
The email was received by IndiGo’s grievance portal, warning of possible attacks within 24 hours. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) immediately initiated security drills at key airports.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) was among the first to respond after the Delhi Fire Service received a call about a suspected bomb at Terminal 3 around 4 p.m. Security teams, bomb disposal squads, and sniffer units were deployed, and the terminal underwent a full inspection. No suspicious object was found.
Simultaneously, an Air India Express flight to Varanasi was evacuated following a separate bomb scare. All passengers and crew were safely deboarded, and a thorough search of the aircraft revealed no threat. Authorities said the two incidents might be linked but emphasized that investigations are ongoing.
The threat email also mentioned the recent car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort metro station that killed at least 13 people, prompting nationwide concerns over airport security. Investigators are exploring whether the bomb threat was an attempt to exploit existing public fear following that explosion.
All major airports, including those in Thiruvananthapuram and Goa, have been placed on heightened alert. Passengers have been advised to arrive early as additional security checks are causing delays at baggage screening and boarding points.
Officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that the source of the threat email is under investigation by cybercrime units. Preliminary findings suggest the message originated from an untraceable server, raising the possibility of a deliberate attempt to disrupt civil aviation operations.
Although no explosive devices were found, authorities have not lowered the alert level. “The safety of passengers and airport personnel is paramount. We are taking every threat seriously until proven otherwise,” a senior BCAS official told The Economic Times.
The incidents have reignited concerns about aviation security in India amid a surge in false threat emails targeting airlines and airports. Security agencies have urged the public to remain calm but vigilant.
