‘Bomb Threat’ In Indian Airspace As Iranian Passenger Jet Flies Towards China

IAF Su-30MKI fighter jets from Punjab and Jodhpur airbases were scrambled to intercept the plane after the airline received a bomb threat for an immediate landing at Delhi, the report said.

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New Delhi: A ‘Bomb threat’ was reported onboard an Iranian passenger jet over Indian airspace with its final destination in China on Monday.

News agency ANI reported the Indian Air force as confirming that the China-bound Mahan Air flight which had a bomb threat is now out of Indian airspace.

"On Oct 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," the IAF stated, as reported by ANI.

"Aircraft was offered 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 toward its final destination," the air force mentioned in a statement.

It was informed that all actions were taken by Ithe AF as per the laid down procedure, jointly with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The aircraft was under close radar surveillance by the Air Force throughout the Indian airspace, the statement read.

A foreign aircraft, headed to China, that entered Indian airspace reportedly received a bomb threat. Permission was denied for the plane to land in Delhi.#BreakingNews #Iran #China #Pakistan #BombThreatpic.twitter.com/CSVqczl587

— ABP LIVE (@abplive) October 3, 2022

"At around 9.25 am we were informed of a bomb scare after which we put our teams in a stand-by position but the flight did not land. We were given an all-clear message at 10.05am by security," Deputy Chief Fire officer Sanjay Tomar said, as quoted by ANI.

Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter jets from Punjab and Jodhpur airbases were scrambled to intercept the plane, sources told the news agency.