A man travelling from Pilibhit to Dubai was briefly held at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport after a comment about a bomb triggered a security alert.
Comment Sparks Security Alert
Azeem Khan was preparing to board a flight to Mumbai when, during a phone conversation with a relative, he mentioned that airport security had stopped him due to suspicion over his dry coconut, yet allowed him to carry pan masala. He joked that the security forces suspected the coconut might contain a bomb.
A nearby passenger, a female model based in Mumbai, overheard the word “bomb” and promptly alerted the flight crew. The crew immediately called the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) team.
Detention and Release
Azeem Khan was subsequently taken into custody, and a case was registered against him. He was handed over to the Delhi Police for questioning. He was later released, but due to this incident, he missed his flight to Dubai. Azeem was on his way to work in Dubai.
Following a thorough security check, the plane was given the clearance to fly again. However, the woman who initially alerted the crew refused to re-board the aircraft.
Officials Warn Against ‘Bomb’ Talk
Delhi Police officials have advised that words such as ‘bomb’ or ‘explosive’ should not be used at airports, as they can incite fear and prompt unnecessary security alerts.
The incident occurred on Wednesday. Azeem Khan was supposed to take a Vistara flight from Delhi to Mumbai before catching his connecting flight to Dubai
