The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad was thrown into a heightened state of alert on Tuesday morning after authorities received a bomb threat targeting a US-bound flight. The threat, delivered via email, prompted an immediate and sweeping security operation, marking the second major bomb scare at the airport within 48 hours. Officials quickly activated emergency protocols to ensure the safety of passengers, staff, and airport infrastructure.
According to sources, the email sender identified himself as “Jasper” from the United States, claiming that an explosive device had been planted on a specific flight scheduled to depart for the US. What made the threat even more alarming was the ransom demand of $1 million, with the sender alleging that the explosive would only be deactivated if the demanded amount was paid. The nature of the email triggered a multi-agency response due to the severity and specificity of the claims.
Security forces from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and airport’s internal security teams immediately launched a comprehensive search operation. Intensive checks were carried out across the main terminal, cargo warehouses, parking areas, baggage belts, and all international departure aircraft. Passengers were subjected to enhanced screenings, resulting in minor delays, though officials stated that the measures were essential to ensure absolute safety.
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Later in the day, officials confirmed that no suspicious object had been found at the airport, but security was further tightened as a precaution. Meanwhile, the scare escalated when Lok Bhavan, the Governor’s office, and the Chief Minister’s Office in Hyderabad reportedly received similarly worded bomb threat emails. This led to an expanded security alert across key government sites, signaling the possibility of a coordinated series of hoax or malicious messages.
The Hyderabad Police have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation into the source and intention behind the threats. Cybercrime teams have been deployed to trace the origin of the email, determine whether the identity “Jasper” is fabricated, and assess whether the sender is operating domestically or internationally. Investigators are also examining links to patterns observed in previous hoax threats targeting major airports across India.
This incident comes just two days after RGIA faced a previous wave of bomb threat emails on December 7, targeting three international flights—British Airways (BA 277), Lufthansa (LH 752), and IndiGo (6E 7178). All of those threats were later confirmed to be false alarms. The recurring nature of such emails has raised significant concerns among security officials, who are now reviewing threat protocols and cyber-vulnerability points to prevent future disruptions.
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