Posted by AI on 2025-12-06 16:27:05 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-09 14:14:47
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In a chilling sequence of events, Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) faced a tense 12 hours on Saturday, with four bomb threat emails targeting flights bound for the city. This latest incident adds to a string of similar threats that have disrupted air travel to and from Hyderabad in recent days.
The first email, received late on December 5, warned of an explosive device on Air India flight AI 2879 from Delhi. Despite the alarming message, the aircraft landed safely, and a thorough search revealed no suspicious objects. This pattern repeated itself twice more in quick succession. British Airways flight BA 277 from Heathrow and Kuwait Airways flight KU 373 from Kuwait both landed in Hyderabad after receiving threat emails, but extensive security checks found no evidence of bombs.
However, the fourth threat led to a more cautious response. Singapore Airlines flight SQ 518, en route from Singapore, was forced to return to its departure airport as a precautionary measure. This decision highlights the heightened security measures implemented at RGIA, which include increased surveillance and enhanced aircraft scanning.
The RGIA police have launched an investigation, but tracing the perpetrators is challenging due to the use of VPNs and non-Gmail mailing services. Each email was sent from a unique ID, specifically targeting individual flight numbers. With the surge in hoax threats, the Shamshabad police zone has enlisted the cyber crime wing of Cyberabad police to assist in identifying the senders. The authorities are also expected to seek information from service providers, such as Outlook, to aid in their investigation.
As the airport grapples with these threats and ongoing operational issues, including Indigo flight cancellations, the pressure on security personnel is mounting. The situation underscores the delicate balance between maintaining public safety and ensuring efficient travel operations.