False bomb threat on cargo flight sparks security scare at Chennai Airport

CHENNAI: Tension gripped the Chennai International Airport on Tuesday night after an anonymous bomb threat was issued regarding a cargo flight from Shanghai, China. The threat, received via email at Mumbai Airport, claimed that explosives were being smuggled aboard the incoming aircraft, prompting an immediate and high-level security response.Initially addressed to Mumbai Airport authorities, the mysterious email warned of dangerous explosives onboard a cargo flight from Shanghai. However, as events unfolded, it was revealed that the aircraft was being diverted to Chennai instead. Acting swiftly, emergency alerts were issued from Mumbai and Delhi to Chennai officials, triggering an extensive security operation at the airport.The cargo terminal was brought under tight security.

Additional forces, including sniffer dog units and Q-branch police, were deployed to monitor and search the area intensively. The suspicious cargo aircraft was isolated and examined by bomb disposal experts and intelligence personnel.No explosives were found aboard the aircraft or within the cargo area, confirming the threat to be a hoax.AAI sources said that there was a threat message for a non-scheduled cargo freighter, and a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee was constituted, which declared it as non-specific.