The incidents have triggered widespread disruption globally as the airlines with Indian call signs are being targeted by cyber criminals. The scale of these incidents has airline operators scrambling to manage flight delays, diversions, and even cancellations, leading to significant financial losses while the saga of endless trauma to the passengers and their family members continues unabated.
In May and June, multiple schools in Delhi faced hoax bomb calls, triggering evacuations and panic among students and families. Now, the same is hitting India’s aviation sector. However, the modus operandi has shifted — what once came through emails or calls now surfaces on social media, primarily X (formerly Twitter), as cyber criminals adapt their tactics to evade detection.
As Hoax Creates Havoc, MHA Steps in
As the rising menace of hoax calls runs amok and continue to wreak havoc, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) mulls forming a central investigation team that will include senior officers of related state police departments, central intelligence and cybercrime agencies and members of authorities concerned like Bureau of Civil Aviation (BCA) along with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which manages Indian airport security, News18 has learnt.
Top officers of the MHA, BCA, CISF, IB and other central agencies held a series of meetings on Monday to address the situation.
Senior police officers involved in the process called the situation the “Jamtara of Indian aviation”, drawing parallels with the infamous Jharkhand district known for cybercrimes.
Hoax calls to airlines, railways, other public offices and premises have been a prevalent practice by pranksters and cyber frauds. However, the modus operandi has evolved as cyber frauds are using high-end technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to evade detection, said a senior police officer serving in the MHA.
Following several meetings, the senior officers who are dealing with the situation said the persons or the gang would be identified soon. “The government’s stance is firm — those behind these hoax calls will face stringent action. In the past, arrests have been made, and the security apparatus remains determined to send a strong message against such malicious activities,” said a senior IAS officer posted in the civil aviation ministry.
Handling Hoax
Bomb threats to airlines are evaluated by a specialised Bomb Threat Assessment Committee. The committee, comprising members from various intelligence and security agencies, exists in every airport. The committee convenes immediately upon receiving a threat to assess its seriousness. Their decisions are based on a set protocol followed worldwide, which ensures minimum disruption while maintaining maximum security. The threat messages, which earlier used to be delivered through emails or calls, are now appearing on social media, making detection a challenge for the security agencies.
The standard operating procedure in such cases is straightforward. The committee evaluates the nature of the threat, cross-checks it with available intelligence, and swiftly determines whether it poses a real risk.
In many cases, after a thorough examination, threats are found to be hoaxes, and flights are cleared. However, when necessary, enhanced security measures are implemented. Once deemed a credible hoax, investigations focus on identifying the perpetrators, with a high likelihood of arrests and legal consequences.
Modus Operandi Changed: From Email to Social Media
In fact, in May and June, multiple schools received bomb hoax or threat calls leading to evacuation of the school premises and causing harassment to the children and their families. What happened then is now happening to the Indian aviation sector.
However, the modus operandi from how it used to be earlier has changed. The bomb hoax calls or any threats would earlier reach the authorities concerned through emails or calls. Now, the cyber criminals have shifted their modus operandi to social media platforms — primarily X (formerly Twitter).
Despite the magnitude of the situation, there have been no prominent arrests yet except a 17-year-old boy from Chhattisgarh who was picked up by Mumbai Police for targeting three flights. The hoax calls and messages, often sent through social media platforms, originate from anonymous user profiles that use VPNs and untraceable networks, making it difficult for authorities to track down the culprits. Preliminary investigations suggest it could be the work of a prankster gang rather than a larger conspiracy, though the threat to aviation security remains serious.
International operators have faced similar hoax incidents in the past and responded with heightened technological surveillance, rapid investigations, and stronger legal frameworks. Indian aviation authorities now face the challenge of adopting stricter countermeasures to combat this rising menace.
The government’s next steps in identifying the gang behind these hoaxes will be crucial to restoring public trust and ensuring safety across the skies.
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