Security agencies were sent into a tizzy Saturday after a used stun grenade was found on the prime minister's standby plane, an Air India Boeing 747 aircraft, in Jeddah.
The B747 was kept in Delhi as a stand-by aircraft for Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visited the United States. It was released for commercial flying when the PM landed back from his US trip.
After being released for commercial operations, the aircraft first flew to Mumbai and from there to Jeddah via Hyderabad.
The stun grenade was found once the plane had landed in Jeddah. "It was found in the upper deck in the business class," an AI official said.
Immediately, security officials at the airport were alerted, the plane was moved to an isolated place and the grenade was removed.
"It was found to be a used stun grenade," the official said adding, "The aircraft was thoroughly searched and cleared for flying back to India,"
A stun grenade, also known as a flash grenade or flashbang, is a non-lethal explosive device used to temporarily disorient an enemy's senses. The concussive blast of the detonation can still injure, and the heat created can ignite inflammable materials such as fuel.
The B747 is a double-decker aircraft and is used by the PM and President on official visits. A high-level inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
"Whenever there is a VIP charter, the plane is handed over to the Special Protection Group three days in advance," the official said.
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