An IndiGo flight traveling from Kolkata to Shillong had to be moved to an isolation bay at the Kolkata airport on Saturday following a bomb threat.
The incident took place on board flight 6E 3074, which was scheduled to depart from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at 9:15 am.
The threat emerged after flight crew members found a piece of paper in the plane’s toilet, according to the director of the Kolkata airport, who spoke to ANI. The note claimed there was a bomb inside the plane.
Passengers were already on board the plane and were immediately evacuated, an airport official said.
The plane has since been moved to an isolation bay, away from the main terminal and other active taxiways.
“All passengers and crew have been safely evacuated. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are currently being followed, which include thorough washing of the cabin and re-screening of all checked and carry-on baggage,” an airport official was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
The publication added that luggage from the flight was unloaded onto the tarmac for specialized screening by bomb disposal units and dog squads.
It is currently unclear whether any suspicious items have been found: airport authorities have yet to comment.
Heavy deployment of CISF
The incident led to a major deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Kolkata airport, the Indian Express reported, adding that security personnel were deployed around the isolation zone.
Specialized airport vehicles, including a fire brigade and ground staff in high-visibility vests, were also reportedly seen coordinating the operation.
(This is a developing story. Check back for updates)