Kolkata: Panic broke out on Saturday morning after a bomb threat was reported on an IndiGo flight operating from Kolkata to Shillong, prompting a full-scale security response at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Flight 6E 7304, scheduled to depart at 9:15 am, was moved to an isolation bay even before passenger boarding began after a handwritten note claiming the presence of a bomb was discovered inside the aircraft lavatory.
Airport sources said the note was first spotted by a crew member, following which security agencies were immediately alerted. As per standard operating procedures, the aircraft was pulled away from the main apron to a secured area, and all passenger movement around the plane was halted.
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The Airports Authority of India (AAI) said bomb disposal squads, security personnel and airport staff rushed to the spot soon after the alert. A comprehensive anti-sabotage check was launched, with teams combing through the cabin, seats, cargo hold and lavatories.
“Every part of the aircraft is being thoroughly inspected. So far, no suspicious object has been recovered, but the operation will continue until final clearance is granted,” an official said.
Authorities stressed that passenger safety remains the top priority and the flight will not be allowed to depart until the aircraft is formally declared “all clear.” Travellers bound for Shillong were asked to wait inside the terminal while alternate arrangements were explored.
The flight was scheduled to operate to Shillong, and the incident briefly disrupted airport operations. Officials said departures and arrivals were later normalised in phases.
Spate of bomb threats on domestic flights
The latest scare comes amid a series of bomb threats targeting domestic flights over the past few weeks. In January, an IndiGo aircraft flying from Delhi to Bagdogra was diverted to Lucknow after a threat was found written on tissue paper. Around the same time, another Delhi–Pune flight was forced to undergo emergency security checks after a handwritten note was discovered in its toilet. Subsequent investigations in both cases found the threats to be hoaxes.
Security agencies maintain that every alert is treated as genuine, given the zero-tolerance approach required in civil aviation. In the current case, CCTV footage from the aircraft and terminal areas is being reviewed to determine who may have placed the note and when.
In a brief statement, IndiGo said it is fully complying with established security protocols and is working closely with authorities. The airline apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers and assured that updates would be shared once the situation stabilises.
Aviation experts say the rising number of threat messages has increased pressure on airlines and airport administrators alike. Each alert leads to flight delays, operational disruptions and higher costs — but officials insist there can be no compromise on safety.
For now, the search operation on Flight 6E 7304 continues at Kolkata airport. Authorities said a decision on the flight’s onward journey will be taken only after security agencies give formal clearance.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
