Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced that at least seven more flights received hoax bomb threats, raising the total to nearly 20 in three days. Four IndiGo, two SpiceJet, and one Akasa Air flight were affected. Naidu stated that law enforcement is actively pursuing the cases and assured that those responsible will be prosecuted. A minor has already been arrested by Mumbai police for issuing threats. The minister condemned the disruptions, emphasizing efforts to enhance security and coordination among agencies to safeguard aviation operations.

SpiceJet received bomb threats for two of its flights on October 16, 2024, through a message on its X account. Authorities were immediately informed, and all safety protocols were followed. Passengers were safely disembarked, and after thorough checks, the planes were cleared for operations. In the last two days, 13 Indian flights, including international ones, have faced similar hoax bomb threats, causing diversions and delays. Most threats originated from social media accounts outside the country, now suspended. The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought reports from aviation agencies to investigate possible conspiracies against India's aviation sector.

In response to a surge in hoax bomb threats, with nearly a dozen Indian flights targeted in the past three days, the Indian government is considering stricter measures. Officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, and Ministry of Home Affairs met to discuss adding hoax callers to the 'no-fly list' and increasing the number of air marshals on flights. Two flights from Akasa Air and IndiGo received hoax threats on Wednesday, prompting heightened security discussions. Law enforcement agencies are working to trace the culprits with the aid of cybersecurity agencies.

An Akasa Air flight bound for Bengaluru was forced to return to Delhi after receiving a bomb threat, which was later confirmed as a hoax. The Akasa Air flight QP1335, carrying 184 passengers, declared an emergency at 1:15 p.m. and made an emergency landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. This incident is part of a series of hoax bomb threats targeting 12 flights over the past three days. Authorities are investigating the surge in threats, which have caused widespread disruptions and diversions but no actual security risks.

The central government has announced a 3% increase in the dearness allowance (DA) for over one crore employees and pensioners, raising it from 38% to 45%. This decision was made during a cabinet meeting and comes just weeks before Diwali, providing significant relief to government workers during the festive season. The DA is designed to offset rising prices and is revised twice a year based on the consumer price index for industrial workers. This increase reflects the government's efforts to support its employees and pensioners amid ongoing inflationary pressures.

In the past 48 hours, at least 10 Indian flights have received hoax bomb threats, resulting in delays and diversions. On Tuesday, Singapore's Air Force sent two fighter jets to escort an Air India Express plane following a bomb threat. Earlier, an Air India flight from Delhi to Chicago had to land in Canada as a precaution. Apart from Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air also received threats. Three international flights from Mumbai were affected on Monday after threats were posted on X (formerly Twitter), leading to the detention of a teenager. The sudden increase in threats remains unexplained, and aviation officials have not commented.

Three people were killed in a fire that broke out in a 14-storey residential building at Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri, Mumbai, on Wednesday morning. The fire started around 8 a.m. on the 10th floor of the Riya Palace building. The victims, identified as Chandraprakash Soni (74), Kanta Soni (74), and Pelubeta (42), were rushed to Cooper Hospital, where they were declared dead. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze by 9 a.m. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, according to officials. The incident highlights the tragic loss of life despite the timely response from emergency services.

The Supreme Court has directed the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) to take penal action against state government officers over the issue of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. The court criticized both states for failing to implement effective measures to curb stubble burning, which significantly increases air pollution in Delhi and surrounding regions during winter. Citing a substantial rise in stubble burning cases, the court described the situation as "absolute defiance" of CAQM's orders. The Haryana Chief Secretary has been ordered to appear in court on October 23. The Supreme Court emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, which continues to impact air quality in the region.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation held a high-level meeting after five flights received bomb threats through social media. Security agencies conducted counter-terror drills at several airports. The flights affected included Air India Express, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, Air India, and Indigo. The threats were later determined to be hoaxes. In a separate incident, three international flights from Mumbai also faced bomb threats. Air India diverted its Delhi to Chicago flight to Iqaluit, Canada, for security checks. SpiceJet and Akasa Air confirmed their flights landed safely and underwent security screenings before resuming operations.

Mumbai Police reported that the plan to kill former minister Baba Siddique started three months ago. He was shot dead on October 12 by three people in Nirmal Nagar. The police have arrested four suspects, including shooters Gurmail Singh and Dharmaraj Kashyap. They used Snapchat for messages and Instagram for calls. The shooters learned to use guns by watching YouTube videos. They received a photo of Siddique as their target. Police also said the attackers visited his house several times before the shooting, and the entire planning took place in Pune.