‘Followed Iranian plane from safe distance’: IAF explains sequence of events as bomb scare triggers major alert

Name: ‘Followed Iranian plane from safe distance’: IAF explains sequence of events as bomb scare triggers major alert
Uploaded: 2022-10-03T13:11:40+05:30
Duration: 16 min 27 s
Description: The Indian Air Force said the Mahan Air passenger flight was allowed to proceed toward China after it was asked by the Iranian agencies to disregard the threat. The IAF also confirmed that the China-bound Mahan Air flight had exited the Indian airspace.

The Indian Air Force said the Mahan Air passenger flight was allowed to proceed toward China after it was asked by the Iranian agencies to disregard the threat. The IAF also confirmed that the China-bound Mahan Air flight had exited the Indian airspace.

Deepak Nagpal

Updated Oct 3, 2022, 15:35 IST

New Delhi: A major security alert was triggered Monday morning after inputs were received about a bomb scare on an Iranian commercial plane that was in Indian airspace and was headed to Guangzhou in China from Tehran in Iran.

The inputs were received at around 9.20 am and the Indian Air Force scrambled fighter jets to intercept the aircraft.

The IAF later said the Mahan Air passenger flight was allowed to proceed toward China after it was asked by the Iranian agencies to disregard the threat.

The IAF also confirmed that the China-bound Mahan Air flight had exited the Indian airspace.

Su-30MKI fighter jets from Punjab and Jodhpur airbases were reportedly scrambled to deal with the air emergency.

IAF jets followed the plane from a safe distance as per the standard operating procedures till the time the aircraft was in Indian airspace.

"We continued to follow it closely till the time it left Indian airspace. The aircraft is now out of Indian air space." IAF sources were quoted as saying by ANI.

The IAF later said in a statement that the Iranian plane was denied permission to land in Delhi and was first given the option to land in Jaipur and then Chandigarh but the pilot refused to divert the plane.

"On October 3, intimation was received of a bomb scare on an aircraft bearing Iranian registration, when it was transiting through Indian airspace. IAF fighter aircraft were scrambled, which followed the aircraft at a safe distance.

"Aircraft was offered an option to land at Jaipur and then, at Chandigarh. But the pilot declared his unwillingness to divert to either of them. After a while intimation was received from Tehran to disregard the bomb scare. aircraft continued on its journey towards its final destination.

"All actions were taken by IAF as per laid down procedure, jointly with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The aircraft was under close radar surveillance by the Air Force throughout the Indian airspace," the IAF said.

Meanwhile, a lone Sukhoi jet was also seen flying over the Jodhpur IAF airbase ahead of the start of the ceremony to induct Light Combat Helicopter into the Indian Air Force today.

As per the latest update, the flight has landed safely in China.

Latest News