Saturday, September 05, 2015

Hoax bomb message to KIA keeps police on their toes

Bengaluru: Things went into a tailspin at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), Bengaluru, on Friday midnight after a prankster sent a WhatsApp message to airport officials, claiming bombs had been planted inside three international flights, including those heading to Saudi Arabia. The message came at 1.41am and minutes later, Delhi Airport authorities received a threat call.

The miscreant may have found the officials' mobile numbers on the airport website.

"The caller mentioned the number of the flight which was carrying 351 Haj pilgrims. Soon, a team comprising the bomb detection squad, Central Industrial Security Force and local police rushed to the spot. Three flights were taken to a remote corner inside the airport and screened for over three hours. The threat was a hoax. The miscreant had used a cellphone to send the message," police said.

A KIA spokesperson said three aircraft operated by Lufthansa (LH 755), Saudia (SV 5643) and Air France (AF 191) had to be screened for security and declared safe for operations. The flights departed later in the day, though all other flight schedules were normal.
05/09/15 Times of India
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