New Delhi: In what is being considered a major security breach, an ammunition cartridge was discovered in a seat pocket on an Air India flight after it arrived in Delhi from Dubai on October 27, media reports said.

The Tata-owned airline has lodged a complaint, and police are investigating the incident.

“One ammunition cartridge was found in the pocket of a seat of our flight AI916 after it had landed from Dubai at Delhi on 27 October 2024 and all passengers had safely disembarked. A complaint was immediately lodged with the Airport Police by Air India strictly adhering to the laid down security protocols. We understand the matter is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. Safety and security of our passengers and crew remain the topmost priority for Air India,” an Air India spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday, reported Indian Express.

This discovery comes amid a recent wave of bomb threats targeting Indian airlines, mostly posted on the social media platform X from anonymous, unverified accounts over the past three weeks.

Since October 14, more than 500 bomb threats have been directed at flights operated by Indian airlines, causing widespread alarm among airline staff, airports, and security agencies.

The threats, all of which have proven to be false so far, have led to occasional flight diversions and extensive post-landing security checks.

In response, aviation security across Indian airports has been heightened, with increased screenings at multiple checkpoints to ensure no prohibited items are brought on board.

However, India has limited authority over security protocols at foreign airports.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and other relevant government bodies are coordinating to address these threats and reinforce the country’s aviation security.

While the airline refrained from commenting further as the matter is under police investigation, sources revealed that the ammunition cartridge was discovered by airline staff during a routine cleaning of the aircraft after it arrived in Delhi from Dubai, according to the Indian Express report.

Officials declined to provide details about the investigation’s progress, the lines of inquiry being pursued, or whether aviation security authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been asked to assist with the probe.