"I Was Curious": Afghan Boy Hides In Plane's Landing Gear, Reaches Delhi

Afghan Teen's "Curiosity" Leads to Landing Gear Journey from Kabul to Delhi

The teenager was returned to Afghanistan on the same flight. (Representational)

New Delhi:

Driven by "curiosity," a 13-year-old Afghan boy made an extraordinary journey to Delhi after successfully concealing himself within the landing gear compartment of an aircraft departing from Kabul, according to official sources on Monday.

The incident occurred around 11 am on Sunday when KAM Airlines flight RQ-4401 landed at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport following its 2-hour journey. The young teenager was promptly repatriated to Afghanistan that same day on the returning flight, sources confirmed.

Airport authorities were alerted when airline staff reported spotting a 13-year-old boy wandering near the aircraft after it had landed. The boy, originally from Kunduz city, was detained by airline personnel before being transferred to Central Industrial Security Force officers, who escorted him to Terminal 3 for questioning.

During questioning, the boy explained that he had secretly entered Kabul airport and managed to conceal himself inside the rear central landing gear compartment of the aircraft. He stated that his actions were motivated purely by curiosity, according to sources. Following the interview, the Afghan youth was returned on the same flight, which departed around 12:30 pm.

KAM airline security officials conducted a thorough inspection of the landing gear compartment and discovered a small red speaker apparently belonging to the boy.

After comprehensive security checks and anti-sabotage inspections, the aircraft was declared safe to continue operations.