Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 19: In an alleged 'bomb scare' at Mangaluru international airport here on the evening of Tuesday September 19, a passenger was detained with a power bank, that national news channels claimed to be a 'cellphone bomb'.

It is learnt that a Keralite was about to board the IndiGo flight to Dubai via Bengaluru, when he was detained by the airport officials.

The officials found a power bank in the passenger's possession which, while screening showed the image of a thick substance. On opening the power bank, it was found to contain clay, after which the passenger was taken for questioning.

The news channels, including Republic TV and Times Now, claimed that it was a 'terror' attempt, but no explosive device was found.

When contacted, aiport director V V Rao said that one passenger had been detained, but he had no information regarding any 'cellphone bomb'.

Sources at the airport confirmed to daijiworld that the device was only a power bank and nothing else. It was a China-made product and packed in an unusual way, they said. However, in view of safety measures, and especially in the wake of alert from the ministry of home affairs asking airports to be cautious of chemical attacks, bomb disposal squad was called to the spot to examine the device, and police teams also arrived to question the detained passenger. The IndiGo counter was cordoned off for sometime.

An officer who later came out after the examination of the device said that the news carried by national channels about 'cellphone bomb' and 'terror' was fake, and that the device was nothing but a power bank.

Also, contrary to claims by the national news channels that the flight to Dubai was delayed because of the alleged 'bomb scare', airport authorities confirmed that there was no such delay, adding that it was late in arrival from Bengaluru.

Speaking to reporters, police commissioner  T R Suresh said that there was nothing to worry or fear. "There is nothing suspicious about the power bank. It was a self-made power bank and was in the possession of a passenger who was going to Bengaluru and then to Dubai. The airport officials are examining, after which they will release the passenger. There are too many rumours spreading, but we have double-checked everywhere. There is absolutely no cause for worry."

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