Terror book author behind hoax emails to airlines

NAGPUR: A 35-year-old resident of the Maoist-affected Gondia district in Maharashtra ’s eastern Vidarbha region, has been identified as the source of a series of hoax emails that caused alarm, flight delays, and increased security measures at airports, airline offices, and railway stations. Jagdish Uikey , who has written a book on terrorism , claims to have deciphered a secret terror code (25-MBA-5-MTR) that foretells 30 explosions on trains and railway premises over the course of five days.

Uikey, who was once nabbed in 2021, is on the run since the hoax emails were traced to him.

Top security agency sources told TOI that Uikey had sent emails to various government agencies, including the Prime Minister's Office, Union railway minister, Maharashtra CM and his deputy, airline offices, DGP, and railway protection force. On Monday, Nagpur police increased security outside the Trikoni Park residence of deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, following Uikey's threat to stage a protest unless he was granted a hearing on the secret terror code. He also requested a meeting with PM Modi to discuss the details he claimed to have regarding the alleged terror attacks.

Uikey's email to Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnav on October 21, which was also sent to the DGP and RPF, led to heightened security and anti-terror measures at railway stations.