Bomb Threats Lead to Evacuations at Multiple Delhi Schools; Police Conduct Extensive Search Operations
New Delhi : On Monday, a wave of bomb threats shook more than 40 schools across Delhi, leading to widespread panic and immediate evacuations of students. Among the institutions affected were high-profile schools such as Mother Mary’s School, the British School, Salwan Public School, Delhi Public School (DPS), and Cambridge School, all of which received the alarming threats via email.
According to Delhi Police, the threats first began with DPS in RK Puram and GD Goenka School in Paschim Vihar, both of which received emails early in the morning. The DPS threat arrived at 7:06 AM, followed shortly by a similar message to GD Goenka at 6:15 AM. The email claimed that bombs had been planted inside the schools, warning that the devices were small and well-hidden but could cause significant harm if detonated. The message further demanded a ransom of $30,000 to prevent the bombs from going off.
Prompt Action by School Authorities and Police
Upon receiving the threats, the school administrations acted swiftly, evacuating students from the premises to ensure their safety. Delhi Police, along with fire officials, bomb detection units, and a dog squad, arrived at the affected schools to conduct thorough search operations. In the case of DPS and GD Goenka, the search found no suspicious objects or devices, and the premises were declared safe.
This unsettling incident comes just a week after another bomb threat was reported at Rohini’s Venkateshwar Global School. Although it turned out to be a hoax, the threat caused considerable alarm among parents and students. Police had responded promptly to that situation as well, conducting extensive checks that revealed no explosive devices.
Recent Surge in Bomb Threats in Delhi
This recent spate of bomb threats in Delhi adds to a growing concern about the safety of educational institutions in the city. Only two months ago, several schools under the CRPF, including those in Delhi and across India, received similar threats via email. In each case, the schools were evacuated and subjected to thorough searches, but nothing suspicious was found.
The Delhi High Court had recently taken note of the increasing number of such threats and had instructed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government, along with Delhi Police, to develop a comprehensive action plan to deal with bomb threats and other emergencies. The court has set an eight-week deadline for the plan’s completion, which will include a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for coordinating between school administrations, municipal authorities, and law enforcement agencies. This action plan is expected to ensure a more efficient and timely response to such threats in the future.
Bomb Threats in Other Cities and Countries
Meanwhile, bomb threats were not only confined to Delhi. In Uttar Pradesh, three key locations in Lucknow – Hussainganj Metro Station, Charbagh Railway Station, and Alambagh Bus Stand – were also targeted. The threats were later found to be hoaxes after a thorough investigation by the police. Similarly, in Mumbai, the police received a WhatsApp message claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the target of a bomb attack, allegedly masterminded by ISI agents.
Authorities across India have expressed growing concern over the rising number of bomb threats, particularly to high-profile sites and institutions. Although most of these threats have turned out to be hoaxes, the frequency and scale of these incidents highlight the need for more stringent security measures and more effective communication between local authorities and school administrations.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Response
As of now, Delhi Police are continuing to investigate the origin of the threats. While no arrests have been made, authorities are working on tracing the IP addresses from which the threatening emails were sent. They have assured the public that they are taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of schoolchildren across the city.
In the wake of these incidents, parents have been urged to stay calm and trust the actions being taken by the authorities. Police have reassured citizens that the chances of actual bombings are extremely low, but they continue to treat every threat with the utmost seriousness to ensure that public safety remains a top priority.
Conclusion: Addressing Safety Concerns in Delhi’s Schools
The recent bomb threats against several schools in Delhi underline the growing concern about safety in educational institutions. Although most of these threats have been hoaxes, the authorities have taken decisive actions to ensure the safety of students, and further measures are expected to improve the response to such incidents. As Delhi’s schools continue to face challenges related to security, the court’s call for a comprehensive action plan will likely be an important step in addressing these ongoing threats.