Flight from Mumbai to Ahmedabad at CSMIA under investigation due to bomb threats; police initiate investigation
In an unsettling turn of events, a series of bomb threats targeting a specific Mumbai-Ahmedabad flight and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) were reported on July 16. The threats, which were received between 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM at the office of the Joint Commissioner of Police in Navi Mumbai, caused immediate concern and prompted swift action from authorities.
The callers claimed that an explosive device had been planted aboard the Mumbai-Ahmedabad flight and warned that CSMIA would be blown up by 6:30 PM. However, after thorough security sweeps at both the airport and flight facilities, no suspicious items were found, confirming that the threats were hoaxes.
Officials believe these threats were intended to sow panic and disrupt public peace. As a result, charges in the First Information Report (FIR) are aimed at addressing the intent to incite fear and disturb public order. Despite the investigation being ongoing, no arrests have been made in connection with the bomb threats.
This incident is part of a recent spike in hoax bomb threats across India. In a similar vein, Delhi and Bengaluru have also witnessed such incidents, with schools and colleges receiving hoax threats via email.
Authorities have employed several methods to investigate these threats, including cyber forensics, international cooperation, and legal frameworks. However, the use of VPNs and proxy servers by the perpetrators has made the investigations challenging.
To mitigate the impact of hoax bomb threats, various preventive measures are being implemented. These include standard operating procedures, education and awareness programmes, and technology and security enhancements. The Directorate of Education has introduced a comprehensive 115-point SOP for schools, while schools are also encouraged to educate students and staff about safety protocols and the legal consequences of initiating hoax threats.
In light of these incidents, law enforcement agencies are urging citizens to remain alert but calm. They emphasise the importance of not sharing such threats on social media or through other channels, as this can exacerbate fear and confusion. Instead, they advise reporting any suspicious activities or threats directly to local authorities.
[1] Delhi Police Investigating Hoax Bomb Threats in Schools and Colleges, The Indian Express, July 2025. [2] Delhi Schools and Colleges Receive Hoax Bomb Threats, NDTV, July 2025. [3] Bomb Threats to Schools Across India Traced to Moscow-based Email Service Provider, The Hindu, May 2024. [4] Bengaluru Schools Receive Hoax Bomb Threats, Deccan Herald, July 2025.
Despite the recent spike in hoax bomb threats disrupting public peace across cities like Delhi and Bengaluru, as seen in the incidents involving schools and colleges, the ongoing investigation into the bomb threats targeting the Mumbai-Ahmedabad flight and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is focused on politics and crime-and-justice, as authorities aim to apprehend those who intended to incite fear and disturb public order by means of such hoaxes. News outlets are also reporting general-news stories on the extensive measures being taken by law enforcement agencies to combat this issue, including employing cyber forensics, international cooperation, and stringent legal frameworks.
