After multiple Indian airlines received bomb threats, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Monday announced that making hoax bomb threat calls to airlines will be made a cognisable offence. 

The hoax bomb threat disrupted flight operations across the country. Addressing a press conference, the Civil Aviation Minister termed the aforesaid situation sensitive, and said that those who make such hoax calls will be placed on the no-fly list of airlines.

The Minister stated that they have conducted multiple meetings on this issue and concluded that amendments to the rules and regulations are necessary. He added that the amendments will strengthen the cause they are currently fighting for. He asserted that once the perpetrators are apprehended, they will be placed on the no-fly list. Ram Mohan Naidu also said that the Aviation Ministry is in contact with other ministries to strengthen the existing laws.

He pointed out that there is the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation Act, and they are working on amending this act. He added that they are also consulting with other ministries to ensure that hoax calls become a cognisable offence. He also sought changes to Aircraft Security Rules.

Civil Aviation Minister Naidu further said that they are trying to assess the situation, terming it very sensitive. He noted that more than 75 airlines received threat messages, either written in lavatories or through social media, in the past few days. On Saturday, more than 30 flights received such messages. The airlines include Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, Vistara, SpiceJet, Star Air and Alliance Air.

Reportedly, the Police have found some common lines and words used in these fake threats, like bombs, blood will spread everywhere, explosive devices, this is not a joke and you will all die and bomb has been placed among others.

Earlier, a 17-year-old boy from Chhattisgarh was arrested, and the investigation revealed that he was responsible for some of the calls. Nonetheless, the origin of the majority of the threats is yet to be traced. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) held a meeting with CEOs and representatives of airlines in New Delhi on Saturday.

A day after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah warned Pakistan of very severe results. He said that Pakistan would have to halt these activities if they wanted good relations with India. 

A group of terrorists attacked a tunnel construction site on Srinagar-Leh national highway in the Ganderbal district on Sunday, killing a doctor and six labourers. Condemning the terror attack, Farooq Abdullah asked Pakistan to stop terrorism in India, adding that Kashmir will not be Pakistan. He continued that the countries should live with dignity and succeed. The National Conference President further questioned how the countries would hold talks if Pakistan killed India’s innocent people.

Farooq Abdullah further expressed that the attack was very unfortunate. He questioned what will the terrorists get from the attack, and whether they think they will be able to create Pakistan in Kashmir. He asserted that they are trying to put an end to this so that they can move on from the misery. The National Conference party recently formed the government in the Union Territory.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also described the terror attack as a despicable act of cowardice. He said that those involved in this heinous act will not be spared and will face the harshest response from our security forces. He also extended his sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday termed the attack dastardly and cowardly. In a social media post, the Chief Minister said that the dastardly and cowardly on non-local labourers at Gagangir in Sonamarg region is very sad. He added that the labourers were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. 

He stated that two people have been killed and 2-3 more have been injured in this militant attack. He also strongly condemned this attack on unarmed innocent people and sent his condolences to their loved ones.

Meanwhile, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reached Kashmir to investigate the terror attack. Reports said, a Superintendent of Police rank officer will lead the NIA team.

Nearly, two terrorists carried out the dastardly attack. Two labourers died instantly, while three others and a doctor later succumbed to their injuries. Officials also said that five individuals are currently receiving treatment for their injuries.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Khalistani terrorist issued a fresh threat on Monday, warning passengers not to fly on Air India flights from November 1 to 19. He claimed that an attack could take place on an Air India flight during the specified dates, which coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Sikh genocide.

The Khalistani terrorist and the founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), who holds dual citizenship in Canada and the US, had issued a similar threat around the same time last year.

This threat comes amid several airlines in India receiving multiple threat calls about potential bombings, all of which turned out to be hoaxes. Additionally, it also occurred at a time when India and Canada are engaged in a murky diplomatic row following Canada’s allegations of India targeting Khalistani elements in the country, including the murder of another terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Earlier in November 2023, Pannun released a video claiming that Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport would be renamed and would remain closed on November 19, warning people against flying on Air India that day. 

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) charged him with criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, and various offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

In December 2023, he also threatened to attack the Parliament on or before December 13, following reports of an alleged foiled plot to kill him. Notably, December 13 marks the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Parliament in 2001.

Furthermore, Pannun also threatened to kill Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of State Police Gaurav Yadav on Republic Day this year. He urged gangsters to unite and launch an attack on Mann on January 26.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has been designated a terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs since July 2020 on charges of sedition and secessionism, as he leads SFJ, a group advocating for a separate sovereign Sikh state. A year before, India banned SFJ as an unlawful association for engaging in anti-national and subversive activities.