Indian police have detained a 26-year-old man, Mohammad Ijas, after he allegedly issued a bomb threat against an Air Arabia flight destined for Abu Dhabi. According to authorities, Ijas sent an email from his personal account to the director of Kozhikode’s Karipur International Airport, claiming there was a bomb on the flight.
According to a The National report, the threat prompted an immediate investigation, and Ijas was taken into custody the next day. Senior police officer Abbas Ali, stationed at the Karipur Airport, confirmed the arrest, stating, “We arrested Mohammad Ijas. He emailed the airport saying there was a bomb in the aircraft.”
According to police, Ijas, a frequent traveler to Abu Dhabi, faced substantial financial issues, having borrowed over 1.1 million rupees (around $13,000). The financial strain allegedly influenced his decision to avoid traveling. Authorities are still investigating his reasons for traveling to Abu Dhabi.
Following his arrest, Ijas appeared before the chief magistrate and was placed under judicial custody for two weeks. He faces charges under sections of the Civil Aviation Act, which could carry a life sentence if convicted, as well as related penal laws.
The incident follows a series of recent hoax bomb threats across India, which have affected more than 250 flights, causing significant disruptions to domestic and international travel.
