Kolkata: A 26-year-old man from Imphal was arrested at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata after reportedly making a bomb-related comment during pre-boarding security checks. The remark caused panic, delayed a Mumbai-bound IndiGo flight, and prompted a full-scale security response including bomb disposal teams and the evacuation of passengers.
The incident occurred during secondary ladder point screening for flight 6E 395 to Mumbai, amid heightened airport vigilance amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. According to a report by The Times Of India, the passenger, identified as Regal Chongtham, reportedly told airline staff in Hindi, “Mere paas bomb hai?” (I have a bomb?), in what officials believe was a sarcastic comment made out of frustration during repeated security checks.
Aircraft Isolated, Bomb Squad Deployed
Authorities treated the comment as a serious threat and followed standard emergency protocols. The aircraft was immediately moved to an isolation bay, and boarding was suspended. At the time, 179 of the 186 passengers had already boarded. All passengers and crew were deboarded, and the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) classified the situation as “specific.”
The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), along with a sniffer dog unit, inspected both the aircraft and Chongtham’s luggage. After a detailed check using explosive vapour detectors (EVDs), officials confirmed there were no explosives on board or in the suspect’s belongings.
Passenger in Custody
Chongtham, who had arrived in Kolkata earlier that day from Imphal on flight 6E 6716, was taken into custody for questioning. He is reported to be a resident of Sega Road Jonjeng Hajailukai in Imphal and had been living in a hostel in Mumbai.
Police are investigating whether the remark was a misguided joke or something more serious. Officials have reiterated that even joking about weapons or explosives at airports is a punishable offense and warned passengers against making such statements under any circumstances. Flight operations resumed after the aircraft was cleared by security teams.
