Man running late makes hoax call to delay flight

An anonymous call on Tuesday saying that a bomb was planted in a Patna-bound Indigo Airlines flight led to anxious moments at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport with police, bomb disposal and a dog squad rushing to the spot only to discover that it was a hoax.

According to police, the call was made by a passenger who wanted to delay the flight since he was running late for it. The passenger is absconding. “The caller has been identified as Pramod whose wife reportedly works as a medical officer in the Army corps in Patna,” said Jagjit Singh Deswal, deputy commissioner of police (IGIA)
Pramod made a PCR call at around 12.10 pm from his mobile phone informing that there was a bomb on board the Patna bound Indigo aircraft 6E 148.

A high alert was sounded at the airport following which security agencies immediately swung into action.

Officers from bureau of civil aviation security (BCAS), the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA), Delhi Police and security staff of Indigo Airlines rushed their teams to the airport where 138 passengers were offloaded along with their baggage, said sources.
Sniffer dogs were called and at the end of the operation that lasted a few hours, the call was declared to be a hoax.

Pramod booked the ticket online under concessional quota since his wife works for Indian Army.

Sources further said Pramod had gone to Sonipat two days ago to look for a job.
“He didn't get the job and was to reach Delhi on Tuesday morning to take the flight. He, however, got late and therefore decided to make the call to delay the flight,” an airport official said.