New Delhi: A 13-year-old Afghan boy reached Delhi from Afghanistan after hiding in the landing gear compartment of an aircraft departing from Kabul, officials said, attributing the act to his “curiosity.”
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Sunday when KAM Airlines flight RQ-4401 landed at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport following a two-hour journey. The teenager was returned to Afghanistan on the same flight later that day, sources confirmed.
Airport security was alerted by the airline after the boy was spotted near the aircraft upon landing. The teenager, a resident of Kunduz, was taken into custody by airline staff and handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at Terminal 3 for questioning.
He revealed that he had sneaked into Kabul airport and climbed into the rear central landing gear compartment of the plane, explaining that his actions were driven by curiosity.
Following the questioning, the boy was sent back to Afghanistan on the flight that departed at approximately 12:30 p.m. Security officials inspected the landing gear compartment and discovered a small red speaker, believed to belong to the boy.
The aircraft was declared safe after a thorough inspection and anti-sabotage checks, authorities said.
