Islamabad airport cleared for operations after 'bomb hoax'
Several flights were suspended after the bomb threat.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - A state of emergency was declared at the airport after an anonymous call from London claimed that there are bombs in two of the planes parking at the Benazir International Airport, Dunya News reported.
A person namely Mike telephoned at around 8:00am today and told the airport officials that there are bombs on two of the international flights ready to take off on the runway.
The spokesperson of Civil Aviation Authority said the bomb hoax delayed five flights as the airport was temporarily closed and a flight coming from Doha was diverted to the country‘s northwest Peshawar city.
The bomb disposal unit searched the five planes and all the passenger baggage but found nothing. After this, the airport was cleared and routine flight operation was resumed.
Security has been put on high alert at the airport and extra contingent of force deployed to avoid any untoward situation, said the spokesperson.
The incident comes a day before the authorities are all set to hold Republic Day parade in the federal capital.
Pakistan Day commemorates March 23, 1940, when the Muslim League demanded the establishment of separate nations to protect Muslims in the then British colony of India.
The show of military might, complete with a 31-gun dawn salute, will be held amid tight security on Wednesday. Cellular phone networks will be blocked as a precaution to thwart militants, who have often used mobile phone signals to trigger bombs.
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