Air India (data map)
Numerous flights in the country have received bomb threats in the past few days. The sequence doesn’t stop. Incidents like this are coming to light every day. In light of this, the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) protocol was changed. Its purpose is to respond to threats received by airlines.
The BTAC at Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Pune, Mangaluru, Bengaluru and Kozhikode airports on Monday night termed bomb threats received on 30 Air India, Vistara and IndiGo flights as rumors . During the investigation into the case, it was discovered that the X account on the social media platform had posted information about the presence of bombs on flights of these airlines.
Changes to the BTAC protocol
The posts were made between 10.46am and 11.42am. Now the BTAC protocol has changed. BTAC has already started work on this. In this case, cybersecurity agencies say that some threats are launched through VPNs (virtual private networks). A number of handles were made on the X for this purpose. The accounts were created shortly before the threat was issued. So far, 20 to 25 such handles have been suspended.
CISF and relevant airline security agencies have also been asked to ensure security protocols for searching passengers and flights. A senior official said that 140 flights have been affected so far due to rumors of bombs on board. It has domestic and international flights.
Losses of Rs 600 Crore
Regarding the new protocol, officials said they hope the move will help curb false threats received on social media or over the phone. In the past 24 hours, 50 domestic and international Air India flights have received bomb threats.
As a result, thousands of passengers are facing problems. Two airline officials said losses were expected to be around Rs 600 crore due to the threats. Delhi Police has registered eight FIRs in the flying bomb threat case.
