Flight operations at Srinagar International Airport were temporarily halted for an hour on Friday due to a bomb threat, officials reported.
The Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Srinagar Airport received a bomb threat concerning an Air Vistara flight arriving from New Delhi, prompting immediate preventive measures.
Authorities, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), responsible for airport security, swiftly responded to the situation.
The threat call was received around noon, specifically targeting Air Vistara flight UK 611, which was carrying 178 passengers. Upon landing, the flight was directed to an isolation bay, and both passengers and crew were safely evacuated.
Authorities conducted a comprehensive search of the aircraft, deploying bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs to detect any suspicious items. Following an exhaustive search, no explosives were found.
Flight operations, which were suspended for approximately an hour, resumed once the situation was deemed safe.
An investigation into the origin of the threat call is currently underway, officials stated. A spokesperson for Air Vistara confirmed the security concern on flight UK 611. “Following protocol, we immediately informed the relevant authorities. After safely landing at Srinagar International Airport, the aircraft was taken to the isolation bay where all passengers were disembarked,” the spokesperson said.
No further details on the source of the threat were disclosed, but the authorities assured that all necessary steps were being taken to ensure the safety and security of the passengers and crew.