India's Skies on Alert: Over 500 Flights Hit by Hoax Bomb Threats

Over 510 Indian flights faced bomb threats in a 16-day period, all of which proved to be hoaxes. Threats primarily targeted Air India, IndiGo, and Vistara via social media. Authorities are considering legislative measures to combat the issue and enforce stricter social media monitoring.

In a significant security lapse, over 100 flights operated by Indian airlines faced bomb threats, all eventually deemed hoaxes. This incident comes after more than 510 flights received similar threats within a span of just 16 days.

Threats, mainly targeting Air India, IndiGo, and Vistara, were issued through social media platforms, sources revealed. Despite the hoaxes, airlines adhered strictly to security protocols as prescribed by regulatory authorities. The Mumbai police have begun investigating, registering 14 FIRs against unidentified perpetrators.

The Information Technology Ministry has urged social media companies to enforce stricter content regulations. Moreover, the Civil Aviation Ministry is contemplating legislative actions, including possible flying bans for individuals responsible for the false threats, to curb the disruptive incidents.

(With inputs from agencies.)