Air India flight from Kolkata to Mumbai moved to isolation bay after threat alert

An Air India flight bound for Mumbai from Kolkata was moved to the airport's isolation bay on Wednesday morning after a hijack threat note was found inside the aircraft's washroom shortly before its scheduled departure.

According to a press note issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the note was found by the cabin crew inside the lavatory of Air India flight AI 2772, an A320 aircraft bearing registration number VT-TNH, operating on the Kolkata-Mumbai route.

The note was discovered at 10:37 am at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata.

Following the discovery, security agencies reached the spot and initiated checks in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs). The aircraft was moved to an isolation bay as a precautionary measure.

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said the government had taken the matter seriously and that security agencies were monitoring the situation.

"The internal security of this country cannot and will not be compromised under any circumstances. We are monitoring the situation; the government has given it serious consideration," Bhattacharya told ANI.

He added that legal action was underway and airports remained secure.

On border security, the BJP leader acknowledged that the state had not been able to seal the border completely but said the state government and the Centre were taking proactive measures.

"While we have not been able to seal the border completely, our CM Suvendu Adhikari is working with a 'zero-tolerance' policy, and the Union Home Minister is also taking proactive measures," he added.

The AAI said the concerned agencies were carrying out necessary checks in accordance with established protocols. Further details about the threat and the outcome of the security exercise are awaited.


(With ANI inputs)