Cochin-London Air India flight receives bomb threat, suspect detained

A London-bound Air India flight received a bomb threat on Tuesday (Jun 25), following which an extensive check was conducted on the aircraft. The aircraft was at Cochin International Airport (CIAL) when Air India's call centre in Mumbai received the bomb threat.

The alert was subsequently communicated to the Air India office in Cochin and the Airport at 1.22 am IST.

Following the threat, a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) was called at the CIAL.

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Meanwhile, the aircraft was taken to an isolated space at the airport and security personnel as well asinline baggage screening systems conducted thorough checks.

Following extensive search, the threat was declared a mere hoax as no danger was detected. The plane was allowed to proceed further at 10:30 am, as per the protocol.

Meanwhile, authorities have reportedly detained a man suspected of sending the fake bomb threat.

The accused has been identified as 29-year-old Suhaib, a native of Kondotty in Malappuram district of Kerala.

He was detained by the Airport Security Group (ASG-CISF) at Cochin Airport's international departure terminal during check-in with his wife and daughter.

News agency PTI quoted an airport official as saying that Suhaib was handed over to police "for further questioning and legal action.”

(With inputs from agencies)