New Delhi: A ‘Bomb threat’ was reported onboard an Iranian passenger jet over Indian airspace with its final destination in China, news agency ANI reported sources as saying.
According to ANI, the Indian Air Force fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the foreign aircraft with its origin in Iran that was moving towards the New Delhi airspace.
“On the way from Tehran, Iran to Guangzhou in China, Mahan Air contacted Delhi airport ATC after the airline received a bomb threat for an immediate landing at Delhi. Delhi ATC suggested the aircraft to go to Jaipur but the aircraft pilot refused and left Indian airspace,” Air Traffic Control (ATC) sources said, as quoted by ANI.
On way from Tehran, Iran to Guangzhou in China, Mahan Air contacted Delhi airport ATC after the airline received a bomb threat for an immediate landing at Delhi. Delhi ATC suggested the aircraft to go to Jaipur but the aircraft pilot refused & left Indian airspace: ATC sources
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2022
Inputs were received by security agencies in Delhi about the possibility of a bomb on board, which triggered an alert, and permission was not granted for the plane to land in Delhi, ANI reported sources as saying.
The foreign aircraft, headed to China, had entered Indian airspace when the alert from Indian Air Traffic Control was shared with the plane.
A foreign aircraft, headed to China, that entered Indian airspace reportedly received a bomb threat. Permission was denied for the plane to land in Delhi.#BreakingNews #Iran #China #Pakistan #BombThreatpic.twitter.com/CSVqczl587
— ABP LIVE (@abplive) October 3, 2022
Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter jets from Punjab and Jodhpur airbases were scrambled to intercept the plane, sources told ANI.
The nature of the bomb threat remains unclear.
The plane was over Indian airspace and was being closely monitored by security agencies, the ANI report mentioned
After clearance, the plane is continuing on its flight path toward China.
(More details awaited. Please refresh the page for updates)