China-Bound Iranian Plane With 'Bomb Threat' Left Indian Airspace After 40 Minutes

As per Indian Air Force officials, the plane was allowed to continue its flight towards China after Iranian agencies asked the force to “disregard the threat”. 

New Delhi: China-bound Iranian passenger jet Mahan Air left the Indian airspace after hovering for around 40 minutes on Monday after receiving clearance from Iranian authorities, reported news agency ANI. Earlier the news agency had reported that the Delhi Police had received inputs at around 9:20 am about a “bomb threat” on board the Airbus A340 aircraft following which Indian Air Force jets were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. 

Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter jets from Halwara (Punjab) and Jodhpur air bases were scrambled to intercept the flight which was moving towards the New Delhi airspace.

As per the officials from Indian Air Force, the plane was allowed to continue its flight towards China after Iranian agencies asked the force to “disregard the threat”. 

"The Indian Air Force jets were scrambled after the information was received and we were following it, maintaining a safe distance as per the standard operating procedures. However, the aircraft was allowed to continue on its flight towards China after Iranian agencies asked us to disregard the threat," reported the news agency quoting its sources. 

After the alert was triggered, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructed the plane to divert to Jaipur and was not given permission to land here. Reportedly, the pilot had refused to divert the plane following which Indian Air Force jets were scrambled to intercept and escort the plane. 

Data from Flightradar24 showed the plane reducing altitude over the Delhi-Jaipur airspace for a brief period before it was seen making its way out of Indian airspace. 

As per the report citing ATC sources, Mahan Air requested for immediate landing at Delhi airport but Delhi ATC directed it to head to Jaipur Airport. The pilots of the Iranian carrier did not do so and eventually left Indian airspace.

"On October 3, intimation was received of a bomb scare on an aircraft bearing Iranian registration, when it was transiting through Indian airspace. IAF fighter aircraft were scrambled, which followed the aircraft at a safe distance. Aircraft was offered the option to land at Jaipur & then, at Chandigarh. But the pilot declared his unwillingness to divert to either of them. After a while intimation was received from Tehran to disregard the bomb scare. Aircraft continued on its journey towards final destination," the Indian Air Force said in a statement. 

"All actions were taken by IAF as per laid down procedure, jointly with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) & Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The aircraft was under close radar surveillance by the Air Force throughout the Indian airspace," the IAF said.