The Indian Air Force on Monday scrambled fighter jets to intercept an Iranian passenger aircraft that was headed for Guangzhou, China, after receiving intel about a bomb threat, which turned out to be a false alarm.

According to the Indian Air Force, after receiving an intimation regarding the bomb scare, the IAF fighter jets followed the aircraft at a safe distance. The Airbus A340 plane (W581) operated by Mahan Air was flying from Tehran, Iran's capital, to Guangzhou in China. A news agency reported that information regarding a bomb scare was received from the Lahore Air Traffic Control.

"On Oct 3, intimation was received of a bomb scare on an aircraft bearing Iranian registration, when it was transiting through Indian airspace. IAF fighter aircraft were scrambled, which followed the aircraft at a safe distance," said the IAF statement.

The aircraft was allowed to continue on its journey only after authorities in Tehran confirmed to disregard the bomb scare. During its time in the Indian airspace, the aircraft was kept under close radar surveillance by the IAF.

"Aircraft was offered option to land at Jaipur & then, at Chandigarh. But pilot declared his unwillingness to divert to either of them. After a while intimation was received from Tehran to disregard bomb scare. Aircraft continued on its journey towards final destination," said the IAF.

The IAF said all actions were taken as per the laid down procedure, jointly with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) & Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

Data from global flight tracking service FlightRadar24 showed the Mahan Air flight W581, which was headed for Guangzhou, China, making at least three circles in the skies near the national capital Delhi, before continuing its journey towards the Chinese city via Myanmar.

Bomb scare

IAF scrambles fighter jets after bomb scare intel on Iranian passenger aircraft