A search operation was initiated at Patna's Jayprakash Narayan Airport after an unidentified caller made a bomb threat, police said on Wednesday.

A bomb disposal unit conducted a search operation at the airport grounds in response to the call, police said. However, it was later found out that it was a hoax call.

Samastipur police have taken the caller into custody. Initial inquiry revealed that the person had made the call under the influence of alcohol. Detailed inquiry is being done. The phone from which the call was made has been recovered. Prima facie it appears to be a hoax call, says Rajeev Mishra, SSP, Patna, as reported by ANI

"As the information was non-specific, the entire terminal building, parking area and office building was scanned by security forces but no bomb was found," an airport official said.

In July last year, a Delhi-bound IndiGo flight (6e 2126) was reportedly grounded at Patna airport after a passenger claimed that he had a bomb in his bag.

The bomb squad and police who were at the spot conducted an inspection after a man reportedly claimed a bomb was in his baggage. His bag was checked further but no bomb was found.

The passenger was detained and the plane is being checked further. All passengers were safely deboarded from the Delhi-bound IndiGo flight (6e 2126) at Patna airport.

Source: ANI