Clay-like substance tucked inside power bank triggers bomb scare in Mangaluru Airport
- The object was found in the check-in luggage of a Dubai-bound passenger
- After the dog squad gave mixed signals, the officials stepped up the screening
- The airlines have booked a FIR on the passenger and sought details of why it was being taken on the plane
- The officials are yet to determine the object
FollowA suspicious clay-like object found in a check-in baggage of a Dubai-bound passenger on the IndigoAirlines triggered a bomb scare in Mangaluru International Airport forcing the officials to issue high alert. However, the officials are yet to determine the object that was tucked inside a power bank.
Reports said that the security screener of the flight raised the alarm when it found a suspicious object that allegedly looked like a cell phone bomb. When the screener did a physical check, it was power bank. Inside, clay like substance was tucked raising suspicions, said the reports.
However, the officials immediately pressed the Central Industrial Force dog squad into service to ascertain whether it was an explosive or some chemical material to carry out a chemical gas attack on the plane. However, the dog squad gave a mixed signal forcing the officials to intensify the test with an explosive trace detection. The test showed that it was not an explosive, reports The Times of India.
Not wanting to take any chance, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security chief Rajesh Kumar Chandra has directed the airlines to book a FIR on the traveller to whom the luggage belonged to determine why such an object was being taken on the plane.
The passenger has been identified as M Mohammed who had booked the IndiGo's flight 6E877 from Mangaluru to Bengaluru at 10 pm on September 19. He had also booked the ticket for Dubai on the IndiGo 6E 95 flight on September 20 at 7.20 am.
Following intelligence inputs that terrorists may launch a chemical attack by releasing toxic gases in the airport and other modes of transportation in India, the Centre has issued an alert to all the states' security agencies to intensify the frisking and baggage checks at airports.
The intelligence inputs indicate that explosives could be hidden inside personal electronics, small appliances and even personal items that could be taken on the plane or shipped by an airmail.
"The matter has been reported to the local police. Since it is a sensitive security matter, we have nothing more to share. IndiGo is committed to providing the highest levels of safety and security for its passengers at all times," said the airliner's tweets.
