‘Bomb threat’ on board Iranian plane over Indian airspace triggers alert, IAF jets scrambled from Punjab, Jodhpur
ANI
New Delhi, October 3
Indian Air Force fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a foreign aircraft with its origin in Iran that was moving towards the New Delhi airspace.
According to sources, inputs were received by security agencies in Delhi about the possibility of a bomb on board, which triggered an alert and permission to the plane to land in Delhi was denied.
According to an ANI tweet, the plane was on its way from Tehran, Iran, to Guangzhou in China. Mahan Air contacted the Delhi airport Air Traffic Control after the airline received a bomb threat for an immediate landing in Delhi. The Delhi ATC suggested the aircraft to go to Jaipur but the aircraft pilot refused and left the Indian airspace, according to sources.
On way from Tehran, Iran to Guangzhou in China, Mahan Air contacted Delhi airport ATC after the airline received a bomb threat for an immediate landing at Delhi. Delhi ATC suggested the aircraft to go to Jaipur but the aircraft pilot refused amp; left Indian airspace: ATC sources
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2022
The aircraft had entered the Indian airspace when the alert from the ATC was shared with the plane.
Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter jets from Punjab and Jodhpur airbases were scrambled to intercept the plane, sources told ANI.
The nature of the bomb threat is still unclear.
However, after clearance, the aircraft is continuing on its flight path towards China.
