Bomb hoax emails at RGIA trigger probe into possible smuggling link
HYDERABAD: A spate of six bomb threat emails sent to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Shamshabad, within a week has prompted police to examine whether the hoaxes were used as a diversion to aid gold smuggling. Officers said no such evidence had surfaced so far, but all angles were under scrutiny.
Four threat emails were received on Friday and Saturday alone, putting security agencies on high alert. On Friday morning, an Emirates flight from Dubai received a threat email, which was later declared a hoax after standard checks. That evening, Hyderabad airport’s customer support team received another email claiming that a bomb had been planted on Air India Flight 2879 from Delhi. The aircraft landed safely in Shamshabad around 20.45 IST.
Flights checked, threats found to be hoaxes
On Saturday, British Airways flight BA 277 from Heathrow to Hyderabad was targeted. The flight landed at 05.25 IST, and a thorough inspection confirmed it was a hoax. Another email linked to Kuwait–Hyderabad flight KU 373 forced the flight to return to its departure airport.
A senior Shamshabad police officer said investigators were verifying whether smugglers may have used the threats to exploit disruptions in routine checks. “Nothing is being ruled out at this stage. If there is any indication of gold or contraband being involved, the case will move to Customs or the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence,” the officer said.
Shamshabad DCP B Rajesh said most recent hoax threats had been sent through encrypted platforms. “Past cases involved personal disputes, attention-seeking behaviour or frustration. A few offenders used routed ProtonMail or TOR-based platforms with VPNs. This is a bottleneck because there is no government access to logs. We are coordinating with external agencies and hope for a breakthrough soon,” he said.
Why smuggling angle is being explored
Security sources said gold smuggling networks often conceal contraband in body cavities, baggage linings, aircraft toilets, catering trolleys, or use handlers and contract staff. Insiders have been used in past cases to bypass checks.
Officials noted that emergency situations such as bomb hoaxes can shift enforcement focus, though no link to smuggling has emerged in this instance. In 2020, a false bomb alarm at RGIA led CISF personnel to discover 1.5 kg of gold hidden in a customised motor inside an unattended bag.
Gold smuggling remains widespread nationwide, with recent seizures including 14.2 kg in Bengaluru, nearly 25 kg in Surat and 11.88 kg in Mumbai. The Ministry of Civil Aviation told the Rajya Sabha in March 2025 that Indian airports had received at least 833 fake bomb threats since 2020.
The Hyderabad case remains under investigation. A Customs official said, “So far, we have not received any such information. Our seizures usually depend on checking by the CISF.”
