Gujarat: On December 4, 2025, IndiGo flight 6E-058, operating from Madinah in Saudi Arabia to Hyderabad, was diverted mid-air and made an emergency landing at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (Ahmedabad) — after the carrier received a bomb threat via e-mail.

The Airbus A320 carrying approximately 180 passengers and six crew members touched down around 12:30 pm local time. Immediately after landing, all on board were safely deboarded and moved to secure zones, as a full security protocol was activated involving the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), local police, a bomb-disposal squad and a dog squad.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4) Atul Bansal, the decision to divert the flight was taken as a precaution because Ahmedabad was the nearest Indian airport at the time. “We received a credible bomb threat in an email to IndiGo,” Bansal said.

Once on ground, authorities carried out an intensive search of the aircraft, baggage and cargo. Surveillance, screening and security sweeps lasted several hours. No explosives or suspicious material were found.

Passengers emerged shaken but unharmed. Airlines and security agencies confirmed there were no injuries or damage. The traveller who reportedly sent the threat (or claimed to carry a bomb) has been detained by police for questioning.

This incident comes at a difficult time for IndiGo, which has already been managing widespread disruptions due to recent flight cancellations and roster chaos triggered by stricter pilot duty-time rules.

The security breach triggered immediate tightening of airport procedures in Ahmedabad. The CISF, in coordination with the local bomb disposal unit, cleared the plane only after a complete check. Other flights faced minor delays as the emergency protocol played out. Airport officials said normal operations resumed only after the safe clearance of the flight.

Though the threat turned out to be false, experts say such incidents highlight the fragility of aviation security and the importance of robust, real-time threat responses. "Any reported threat — however unverified — must be treated with utmost seriousness," one aviation security analyst noted.

As of now, the origin of the bomb-threat email is under investigation and authorities are working to trace the culprit. The airline has said it is cooperating fully with investigators. Meanwhile, passengers originally headed to Hyderabad are being re-booked on alternate flights or given refunds, depending on availability.

For air travellers, this serves as a reminder to stay alert. Always check flight status emails — especially from airlines — and report any suspicious communication immediately. The incident shows how a single threat email can ripple across international routes, ground a flight, and trigger widespread security protocols.