Ammunition Cartridges Found In Dubai-Delhi Air India Flight Amid Bomb Threat

Air India spokesperson stated that a complaint was immediately lodged with the Airport Police by Air India strictly adhering to the laid down security protocols.

An ammunition cartridge was discovered in a seat pocket on Air India flight AI916 from Dubai to Delhi after it landed, an Air India spokesperson said on Saturday. The flight landed at New Delhi Airport on October 27, and all passengers arrived safely. 

"A complaint was immediately lodged with the Airport Police by Air India strictly adhering to the laid down security protocols," the spokesperson added, India Today reported.

Earlier on Monday, a separate Air India flight scheduled to return to New Delhi was the target of a bomb threat hoax. This was the second threat received by Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport in a week, according to news agency ANI. Airport authorities quickely activated emergency protocols to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

"We didn't find any suspicious or explosives on board the plane. It is preparing to take flight following the procedures," Kiran Bajracharya, AIG at Valley Police Office, Ranipokhari told news agency ANI.

Cartridge Is Strictly Forbidden On Aircraft

The cartridge is a type of ammunition that includes a projectile, propellant, and primer within a metal casing and is strictly forbidden on aircraft. This incident occurred amid a series of threats targeting over 400 flights. While these were false alarms, but, it led to increased in security measures. Social media threats led to swift responses from aviation and digital authorities.

In response, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is considering stronger penalties for false threats, including potential no-fly listings for offenders. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has instructed social media companies, including X and Meta, to act quickly in removing misinformation and threats from their platforms.

On October 31, Maharashtra police arrested a 35-year-old man from Nagpur for allegedly sending 30 bomb threat emails to airlines, airports, and some government officials between October 25 and 30. The suspect, identified as Shriram Uikey, is now in custody.