Bomb threats have disrupted multiple Indian airlines this week, creating widespread concern. Air India and local private carriers have received over a dozen warnings since Monday. The threats, though proven hoaxes so far, have caused delays, diversions, and heightened security measures. Indian authorities and those in five other nations are actively investigating the situation. One minor has been arrested in connection with the threats.
India’s aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, strongly condemned the threats. He emphasized the gravity of such acts, calling them a significant risk to the safety and operations of the aviation sector. His statement highlights the tension and seriousness of the situation as airlines work to restore normal operations.
Historical Significance: The 1985 Air India Bombing
These threats evoke memories of the tragic Air India bombing in 1985. The bomb, placed on a flight from Canada to India, killed 329 people. This remains Canada’s worst aviation disaster and one of the deadliest in history. Investigators linked the incident to Sikh separatists, retaliating against the Indian Army’s attack on the Golden Temple in Punjab. Though the movement for a separate Sikh state, Khalistan, has diminished in India, it still has supporters in the Sikh diaspora, especially in Canada and the UK.
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Sikh Separatism and India-Canada Relations
Sikh separatist movements remain a contentious issue between India and Canada. The ongoing bomb threats come amid worsening relations between the two countries. In late 2023, a US-based Sikh separatist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, posted a video warning people to avoid Air India flights starting in November. This followed reports of a failed plot to assassinate him, which allegedly involved Indian agents. Pannun advocates for Khalistan and faced terrorism charges in India.
The threats have spread panic as people shared several bomb warnings on social media. Authorities have made at least 19 bomb threat reports, impacting multiple airlines. On Monday, officials diverted three international flights, including an Air India flight heading to Chicago, which landed in Canada. The Canadian Air Force airlifted passengers to Chicago. On Tuesday, more threats followed, and fighter jets escorted a flight from Madurai to Singapore to safety. Threats also affected IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa flights, causing further delays and diversions.
The bomb threats, though baseless so far, have caused significant disruptions to travel and raised concerns about the safety of air travel in India. Security efforts have ramped up, and investigations are ongoing. These incidents come at a time when tensions between India and Canada over Sikh separatism are at an all-time high. With the added history of the 1985 Air India bombing, these threats carry weight and have renewed focus on the volatile relationship between both countries. Authorities remain vigilant, working to ensure that these threats remain only hoaxes and not real danger.
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