Bomb threat note found on Goa–Ahmedabad IndiGo flight; aircraft checked for 7 hours

A Goa–Ahmedabad IndiGo flight was subjected to extensive security checks on Thursday after a handwritten note threatening a bomb was found inside the aircraft’s lavatory, prompting a full-scale response from airport security agencies at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA).

The IndiGo flight, 6E 6208, operating from Mopa (GOX) to Ahmedabad (AMD), landed safely around 7 pm. Soon after the aircraft reached the bay, security personnel were alerted following the discovery of the threat message, triggering standard operating procedures for aviation security.

“All passengers were deplaned safely, and the aircraft was isolated for inspection,” an airport official said. Bomb disposal squads, CISF personnel and local police teams were rushed to the spot, while the aircraft and all baggage were subjected to detailed checks. The security exercise continued for nearly seven hours.

In a statement, an SVPIA spokesperson said, “A security threat note was reported on an arriving flight from Mopa (GOX) to Ahmedabad (AMD). The aircraft landed safely at 1900 hrs and is undergoing checks as per protocol. Airport operations remain unaffected.”

Airport officials said no suspicious object was found during the preliminary checks, and passengers were allowed to leave the terminal after security clearance. Flight operations at the airport continued as scheduled, with minimal disruption.

The incident comes close on the heels of a spate of bomb threat emails received by several schools across Ahmedabad earlier this week, which had triggered panic and forced authorities to conduct searches at multiple educational institutions. On Wednesday morning, dozens of schools in different parts of the city reported receiving identical threat messages warning of explosions, leading the city police and cybercrime officials to launch an investigation into the source of the emails.

While no explosives were found at the schools, senior police officers had said the threats appeared to be part of a coordinated hoax, though investigations were continuing. Officials confirmed that cyber forensic teams were analysing email headers and digital trails to identify those behind the messages.

The threat message, was written by hand on a piece of tissue paper found inside the aircraft’s lavatory.

Investigators have begun collecting handwriting samples and details of all passengers who were on board the flight as part of the probe. The handwritten note has been sent for forensic examination, and officials from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) have been tasked with analysing the handwriting and other material evidence to identify the person responsible for leaving the threat message.

Security agencies are now examining whether the threat note found on the flight is linked in any manner to the earlier school threats, though no official confirmation has been made so far. “At this stage, we are treating the aircraft threat as a separate incident. All angles, including possible linkage, are being examined,” a senior police officer said.

“A formal complaint is expected to be lodged once the initial inquiry is completed, and CCTV footage from the aircraft and terminal areas is being reviewed to ascertain who may have left the note inside the lavatory,” said a senior police official.