Lessons Learnt, Policy Revised: Paramilitary Force CISF On Hoax Bomb Threats To Airlines

Several domestic carriers, between October and November, received hundreds of "hoax" messages or calls on their official communication channels including on social media.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Monday said it has "learnt its lessons" following incidents of a spate of hoax messages being sent to Indian airlines recently and the situation has improved after the assessment protocol for such calls was revised.

Several domestic carriers, between October and November, received hundreds of "hoax" messages or calls on their official communication channels including on social media claiming bombs being placed or a hijacker onboard leading to numerous diversions and delays for passengers in specific and the entire aviation ecosystem in general.

"There were a very large number of hoax calls recently (to the airlines)...but we have learnt our lessons. The Government of India rules were revised regarding the requirements for convening the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) meetings.