RAWALPINDI: A top level investigation has been launched into ‘bomb hoax’ that put the security officials and bomb disposal experts on alert at Benazir Bhutto International Airport and Allama Iqbal International Airport.

The security agencies have been working on different lines to ascertain whether the threat call was genuine or to disrupt peace in Lahore where Pakistan and World XI were playing T-20 matches and by-election in NA-120 were due to be held on Sept 17.

Security officials said the call was received by the airport security staff at BBIA on Saturday at 4.37am. The caller said, “It is the phone number of Islamabad airport.” The duty officer replied: “Yes.”

The caller said: “A bomb has been placed at Lahore airport.” But he could not identify the place where the bomb was planted.

“I am calling from India. I cannot tell you where the bomb has been placed. Search it by yourself,” he said and cut the call. In just three minutes, the caller again made a call and repeated the words that “bomb has been placed at the Lahore airport.”

After the caller was asked about the identification, the caller replied “I am calling from Rajasthan City of India.” He abused and cut down the call. Shortly afterwards, chief security officer, civil aviation authorities and local police and bomb disposal experts were called at the Airport.

“Though the threat call was not directly related to the BBIA, we cannot ignore it and took measures in line with SOP to ensure the safety of the airport,” a security official said. The bomb disposal team scanned the Islamabad airport and later declared the area as safe.

The airport security force has submitted a complaint with the local police for the registration of a case.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2017