Hijack Threat Forces IndiGo Flight to Return to Bengaluru; Investigation Deemed Hoax

A routine IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Lucknow was thrown into chaos on Saturday evening after a chilling handwritten note threatening a mid-air hijack was discovered in one of the aircraft’s lavatories. The discovery, made shortly after departure, prompted the flight crew to initiate emergency protocols and return the plane to the Kempegowda International Airport.

The flight, carrying 178 passengers, had been airborne for approximately 30 minutes when the incident unfolded. According to authorities, the note was found by a traveler who immediately alerted the cabin staff. The message, scrawled on a piece of paper, read: “This plane is going to get hijacked exactly at 6.30. Ignore this and see the consequences.”

Emergency Landing and Security Sweep

The flight crew acted swiftly upon receiving the report, conveying the gravity of the threat to the cockpit. Following standard operating procedures for an inflight security concern, the pilots contacted Air Traffic Control (ATC) and requested an immediate return to Bengaluru.

The aircraft touched down safely at Kempegowda International Airport, where it was immediately isolated and directed to a secure bay. Security personnel, including bomb detection and disposal squads, swarmed the tarmac. A meticulous inspection of the cabin, cargo hold, and all passenger luggage was conducted over the course of an hour and a half.

A senior police official confirmed that despite the alarming nature of the message, no suspicious items or individuals were identified during the exhaustive search. “After a thorough sweep of the aircraft, the threat was officially declared a hoax,” the officer stated.

Passenger Disruption and Ongoing Investigation

While the security scare ultimately proved to be a false alarm, the incident caused significant distress to those on board and disrupted travel plans for all 178 passengers. The airline worked to accommodate the travelers, and the flight was eventually cleared to resume its journey to Lucknow later that night.

Authorities have launched a formal investigation to identify the individual responsible for the note. Forensic experts are currently analyzing the handwriting and examining passenger manifests to narrow down the potential suspect.

“We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness,” the official added. “Creating such panic and wasting the resources of security agencies is a criminal offense. We are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the airport and the interior of the plane to track down the person who placed the note.”

This incident highlights the heightened state of alert at Indian airports following a series of similar threats directed at various domestic airlines in recent weeks. Security agencies have reaffirmed their commitment to passenger safety, noting that every threat, no matter how unlikely, must be treated as genuine until proven otherwise to ensure the protection of all travelers. The airline has stated that it is cooperating fully with local law enforcement to ensure the perpetrator faces appropriate legal action.

Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.

Source: Read Original News