Meeting on Hoax Bomb Threats in Aviation
On October 21, a crucial meeting took place in New Delhi involving key figures in aviation security. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Director General RS Bhatti and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) Director General Zulfiquar Hasan met with Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan. The meeting focused on recent hoax bomb threats affecting both domestic and international flights.
Details of the Meeting
The half-hour discussion at the Home Ministry addressed the panic caused by these threats, which have led to extensive security checks by Indian aviation authorities and intelligence agencies. The officials discussed the implications for aviation security and the measures being implemented to counter the threats.
Impact on Flights
On October 20, over 20 flights from airlines like IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Vistara received bomb threats. IndiGo released several press statements about the threats. This week, more than 90 flights have been targeted, with most threats being hoaxes. These incidents followed a meeting on October 19 between BCAS officials and airline CEOs, after 70 hoax threats were reported the previous week.
Security Measures
Passengers and staff at various airports have experienced disruptions as affected planes were moved to isolation bays for thorough security checks. The officials emphasized the need for increased vigilance and coordination among security agencies to address the ongoing issue.
Doubts Revealed
CISF -: CISF stands for Central Industrial Security Force. It is a special security force in India that provides security to important places like airports, government buildings, and other critical infrastructure.
BCAS -: BCAS stands for Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. It is an Indian government agency responsible for ensuring the security of civil aviation in the country, which includes making sure that flights and airports are safe from threats.
Union Home Secretary -: The Union Home Secretary is a senior official in the Indian government who is responsible for the internal security of the country. This person works in the Ministry of Home Affairs and deals with issues like law and order, and security.
Hoax Bomb Threats -: Hoax bomb threats are false alarms where someone claims there is a bomb, but there isn’t one. These fake threats can cause panic and lead to unnecessary security measures, wasting time and resources.
Security Checks -: Security checks are procedures carried out to ensure safety, especially at airports. They involve checking passengers and their luggage to make sure no dangerous items are being carried onto flights.