Security agencies in Hyderabad are grappling with a series of hoax threat emails targeting the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), with anonymous senders using sophisticated privacy tools to evade detection. Over the past two weeks, these threats have kept authorities on high alert, disrupting operations and triggering repeated security protocols.
Encrypted Platforms Challenge Investigators
The Cyberabad police confirmed that the individuals behind the threatening emails have employed highly secure and encrypted services, significantly hampering the investigation. The senders utilized the Tor network and Proton Mail accounts accessed through VPNs, making it extremely difficult to trace the origin of the communications.
A source within the Cyberabad police told TOI that multiple teams are working on the case, but the process is time-consuming due to the technical barriers erected by the culprits. The emails contained threats of attacks on aircraft and airport facilities, leading to immediate security responses each time.
A Pattern of Hoaxes and Diverse Motives
This is not an isolated incident for RGIA, which has seen a steady flow of such fake threats in recent years. In a revealing statistic, airport police registered 20 cases related to fake threat emails in 2025 alone, of which only four have been solved.
Investigators have uncovered a range of motives behind these dangerous pranks. In one solved case, a mentally disturbed software engineer from Bengaluru was responsible. Another involved a travel agent from Jaipur who sent a threat out of anger over financial losses suffered with an airline. In a third instance, a woman impersonated her former boyfriend to create trouble for him after a breakup.
Many of the unresolved hoax emails arrived in December, with the sender falsely claiming that subversive acts were planned to coincide with Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India.
Poorly Drafted Threats Cause Real Disruption
Police officials noted that the recent batch of emails was poorly drafted, lacking clear logic or consistency. However, the sender deliberately used inflammatory and loaded terminology to cause maximum alarm. Words like ISI, LTTE, Naxal, bomb, blast, suicide attack, bio-weapon, and fatwa were repeatedly included.
An official pointed out the absurdity, stating there is no ideological link between the mentioned groups. The intent appears to be pure mischief aimed at troubling airport stakeholders, including the police and airlines.
Despite being hoaxes, each threat email triggers a standard, resource-intensive protocol. The bomb threat assessment committee is convened, followed by thorough anti-sabotage checks across the airport. In some precautionary instances, aircraft have been moved to isolated bays, causing operational delays and heightened anxiety.
The continued use of encrypted platforms by mischief-makers presents a significant challenge for law enforcement, balancing the need for public safety with the technical complexities of modern anonymity tools.
