New Delhi:

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.

“The basic revision done was that the BTAC can meet online or in a digital mode hence cutting down the time to convene such a meeting. The situation has improved considerably after this…,” CISF Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Shrikant Kishore told reporters here.

PTI had in October reported that the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) under the Union civil aviation ministry has tweaked BTAC procedures in the wake of the messages being sent over the social media daily by adopting a “multi-layered” approach to assess threats and determine their “credibility and seriousness.” According to the new guidelines, upon receipt of a bomb threat, the BTAC can be convened over a internet-based secure platform but this is only an “interim” arrangement till the members of the committee assemble physically at the designated control room.

Asked about the issue of congestion at several airports in the country during the vacations, Kishore said the force and other agencies involved in civil airport operations were “at a better position now” as they saw “improvement and enhancement” in security infrastructure and manpower.

The force provides counter-terrorist security cover to 68 civil airports of the country and has deployed about 48,000 personnel for this task out of its total manpower of about 1.7 lakh men and women.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The hoax bomb threats will be curbed down at the earliest, assured the Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Zulfiquar Hasan, as he emphasised that Indian skies are absolutely safe and urged the passengers to fly without fear.

Speaking to ANI on Saturday, the BCAS DG confirmed that they are in coordination with concerned security agencies and airlines over the matter. He has assured that these hoax calls will be curbed down at the earliest as they are working over it.

“Indian skies are absolutely safe. The current protocol (to deal with the situation) is robust and is being strictly followed. We reassure passengers that they should fly without any fear and in fact, fly even more,” he told ANI.

On meeting with representatives of airlines, he said various things related to safety and security were discussed.

Earlier in the day, a meeting of the airlines was held at the BCAS headquarters in Delhi.

According to officials, the meeting, chaired by DG BCAS Zulfiquar Hasan was, was called to discuss the issue the airlines are facing.

During the meeting, the representatives of airlines discussed issues they are facing due to the series of hoax bomb threats. They also said that the issues related to security during festive season could lead to congestion at airport.

BCAS officials assured the airlines representatives that they are working with the concerned agencies to reach the root cause of the issue.

The back-to-back threats has placed a significant burden on the airlines, security forces, and passengers. And it is tough for all stake holders in aviation security to maintain operational stability during festive time, the officials added.

Earlier, Spice Jet and Air Asia flights received five bomb threats each, with multiple airlines receiving a total of 30 bomb threats in the last four days.

Five hoax bomb threats were received by Spice jet, regarding flights SG 55, SG 116, SG 211, SG 476, SG 2939. Five more were received by Air Asia regarding flights 9I 506, 9I 528, 9I 822, 9I 661, 9I 804.

According to official sources, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is in talks with the other concerned ministries to make required amendments in the existing laws to make them more stringent to deal with the cases of hoax bomb threats for flights.

The accused person will be put on a no-fly list, officials said.

The official said that a committee will be formed in consultation with the law ministry and Ministry of Home Affairs to prepare a draft to make amendments to the Aircraft Act, 1934 and Aircraft Rules, 1937 and subordinate legislations to ensure a 5-year imprisonment as well as placing offenders on a no-fly list for hoax bomb threats for flights.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)