Kolkata Airport on High Alert Following Bomb Threat to IndiGo Flight

Bomb Threat on IndiGo Flight Puts Kolkata Airport on High Alert

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Pinky Deshmukh

Last Updated: May 13, 2025

Summary: On May 13, 2025, Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport was placed on high alert after an anonymous caller claimed a bomb threat.

On Tuesday afternoon, Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport saw increased security measures in response to a bomb threat targeting IndiGo flight 6E5227 destined for Mumbai. An unnamed caller alerted airport authorities to a possible bomb device on the flight, prompting rapid action.

The boarding process resulted in a postponement of the scheduled departure for the flight carrying 195 passengers, originally planned for 1:30 PM IST. After all passengers had safely exited, the aircraft was moved to a designated isolation area for an extensive security evaluation. Teams from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and bomb disposal units conducted a comprehensive inspection of the aircraft and its cargo.

This is the second bomb threat at an Indian airport since the launch of Operation Sindoor, India's military response to cross-border terrorism. On May 6, a similar threat was reported at Mumbai Airport for an IndiGo flight from Chandigarh, which was ultimately determined to be a hoax.

To address rising security issues, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has increased the CISF's role to manage cargo and baggage screening from May 9 to May 18, aiming to improve security at Indian airports during this alert phase.