IndiGo flight makes emergency landing in Varanasi after bomb threat

An IndiGo flight carrying more than 200 passengers was forced to make an emergency landing at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi on Sunday after a bomb threat was reported, as per reports.

According to the Phulpur–Babatpur police, a handwritten note claiming that a bomb had been placed on board the aircraft was found, prompting an immediate security alert. 

The flight was operating from Hyderabad to Varanasi when the information was received, following which the pilot diverted the aircraft for an emergency landing at Babatpur airport.

Soon after the alert, multiple security agencies, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the bomb disposal squad, the fire brigade and local police, rushed to the airport.

A comprehensive search of the aircraft and screening of passengers were carried out in accordance with standard security procedures, officials said.

Airport authorities confirmed that further investigations into the incident are under way. No explosives were immediately reported to have been found.

The incident follows a similar bomb threat involving an IndiGo flight earlier this month. On January 18, flight 6E-6650 travelling from Delhi to Bagdogra with 238 passengers on board was forced to make an emergency landing at Lucknow airport after a threat was received.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Rajneesh Verma reportedly stated that a note alleging the presence of a bomb was discovered on a tissue paper inside the aircraft’s toilet. The aircraft landed safely in Lucknow and was carrying 230 passengers, including 222 adults and eight infants, along with two pilots and five cabin crew members.