Bangalore’s Kempegowda Airport receives a bomb threat; no explosives found

New Delhi (India) June 19: Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru increased security after an email warning authorities to bombs on the property late Wednesday evening.

According to the threat email, which was issued under a terrorist's name, two bombs had been planted: one as "Plan A" and another as "Plan B" in case the first one didn't work. The message also claimed that an explosive device had been inserted into a pipeline in one of the restrooms at the Bengaluru airport.

On June 17, "Alex Paul Menon" sent an email to the airport's terminal manager stating that two IEDs had been installed in a puzzle-like pattern and that, if left unsolved, would blow up in the restroom pipeline. According to the sender, the blast will be held in honour of YouTuber Savakku Shankar's alleged unlawful detention and the hanging of Mumbai terror suspect Ajmal Kasab.

The security guards quickly blocked off important areas of the airport and the bomb disposal crews conducted a thorough examination to confirm the threat's contents.

Security organizations began a thorough examination of the airport after the notice. Authorities found the threat to be a fake after conducting a comprehensive examination and concluded that no explosives were present in the airport.

An investigation has been launched to determine the email's origin, and a case has been filed against the sender.

The airport threat comes with a recent increase in false alarms throughout Karnataka, especially in Bengaluru. The KIA and a number of well-known schools received fake bomb threat emails earlier this week.

Earlier on June 13 and 16, similar false bomb warning emails were received. Police are looking into the email addresses used and have filed a complaint. The investigation is being led by the Kempegowda Airport Police.

An email warning of suicide bombers with IEDs targeting the passport office and even the Chief Minister's residence was sent to the Regional Passport Office in Koramangala, Bengaluru on June 6.

On Wednesday morning, Hyderabad's Begumpet Airport also received a similar bomb warning email. The airport authorities conducted thorough inspections and sent out bomb teams across the airport and surrounding regions.

Aadrika Tayal