Kuwait-Delhi IndiGo flight makes emergency landing in Ahmedabad after bomb threat

Ahmedabad: An IndiGo flight from Kuwait to Delhi with 186 people on board, including 180 passengers, made an emergency landing at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport here on Friday following a handwritten bomb and hijacking threat scrawled on tissue paper discovered mid-flight.

Adhering to safety protocols, the pilot alerted air traffic control and diverted to the nearest airport, landing safely to trigger a full security response. Passengers were swiftly evacuated to a secure zone without injuries, while the Bomb Disposal Squad, CISF teams, dog squads, and airport security conducted exhaustive anti-sabotage checks on the aircraft and all baggage, finding no suspicious items so far.

Airport Police Station Inspector N.D. Nakum confirmed the rapid mobilization: "All security agencies concerned were alerted. The Bomb Disposal Squad carried out a thorough check of the aircraft. No suspicious or objectionable item has been found so far. The checking process of the aircraft has been completed, and further investigation is continuing as per protocol." A heavy police presence ensured minimal disruption to other flights, though the onward journey to Delhi remains pending.

Authorities are probing the threat note's origin and placement, vowing strict action based on findings. The episode follows a spate of recent hoax threats targeting Ahmedabad's airport, courts, and schools, all treated with maximum vigilance to safeguard passengers.

(Inputs from IANS)