Man Behind Airline Bomb Threats Identified; Police Launch Manhunt

A 35-year-old man from Nagpur's Gondia in Maharashtra is identified as a man behind a spate of hoax bomb threats to airlines, PTI reported citing officials.

The man is identified as Jagdish Uikey, an author of a book on terrorism. He was earlier arrested in 2021 in another case.

The hoax death threats have had triggered panic, causing flight delays and led to increased security at airports and other establishments.

"Uikey is currently on the run after these emails were atraced back to him," the news agency quoted the senior police official as saying.

The investigation, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shweta Khedkar, revealed significant evidence connecting Uikey to a series of emails. Uikey corresponded with multiple government entities, including the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Railway Minister, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy, various airline offices, the Director General of Police (DGP), and the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Following a threatening email sent by Uikey to Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Nagpur police heightened security measures around Fadnavis's residence. In the email, Uikey demanded the opportunity to present information about a secret terror code he claimed to have decoded, as well as a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss potential terror threats.

Uikey's email to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, which was also shared with the DGP and RPF, prompted enhanced security at railway stations. Authorities have formed a special team to apprehend Uikey, with plans for his arrest underway.

In the 13 days leading up to October 26, over 300 flights operated by Indian airlines received hoax bomb threats, primarily issued through social media, as informed by government agencies. On October 22 alone, approximately 50 flights, including 13 each from IndiGo and Air India, faced such threats.