Hoax threats to airlines: Police suspect use of VPN or dark web

NEW DELHI: Investigators probing the bomb threats on different airlines suspect that a virtual private network (VPN) or dark web browser was used to set up the accounts on X.
Police are trying to retrieve their internet protocol (IP) addresses by contacting social media platforms.
Initial probe points to the role of a teenager in the creation of one of the accounts that posted the threats, sources said.
Police have also approached the social media platforms to suspend the handles that posted threatening messages and asked them to remove the posts. FIRs have been registered regarding the bomb threats. Probes are underway into seven similar cases reported at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Oct.
Multiple teams, including Delhi Police‘s cyber cell and Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Operations Unit, are investigating the threats. On Thursday, police requested social media platforms to provide details of accounts posting the messages.
The airport police addressed eight bomb threat incidents this month, ultimately confirming all as hoaxes after rigorous verification and inspection. On Wednesday alone, three Delhi-based flights received bomb threats, causing panic among authorities and passengers.
A bomb threat was received concerning a Bengaluru-bound Akasa Air flight carrying 184 passengers, which forced it to return to Delhi. Following standard safety protocols, the flight was promptly redirected back to the Delhi airport, where it landed safely. A CISF official said the threat was made through X, and a bomb threat assessment committee was convened.
In another incident reported on Wednesday, a bomb threat involving a flight operating from Mumbai to Delhi was received, and the flight was redirected to Ahmedabad due to a security-related alert. A bomb threat was also received for SpiceJet Leh-Delhi and Darbhanga-Mumbai flights. On Oct 16, SpiceJet’s X handle also received a direct message indicating a bomb threat concerning two flights.
Police said they were taking measures to hold perpetrators accountable, safeguard passenger well-being, and maintain seamless airport operations.

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