Wave of Bomb Threats Targets Schools in Delhi: Authorities on High Alert

In a concerning turn of events, more than 40 schools in Delhi received bomb threats via email on Monday, sparking widespread alarm among parents, students, and authorities. Among the targeted institutions were prestigious names such as Mother Mary's School, British School, Salwan Public School, Delhi Public School (DPS), and Cambridge School.

The threats began early in the morning, with DPS in RK Puram receiving an email at 7:06 am, closely followed by GD Goenka School in Paschim Vihar, which received a similar message at 6:15 am. The emails warned of bombs planted within school premises and demanded a ransom of $30,000.

The email read:

"I planted multiple bombs inside (school) buildings. The bombs are small and hidden very well. It will not cause much damage to the building, but many people will be injured when the bombs detonate. If I do not receive $30,000 I will detonate the bombs," as reported by ANI.

Swift Action by Schools and Authorities

Upon receiving the threats, the school administrations acted promptly to ensure the safety of their students. Students were sent home as police teams, supported by fire officials, bomb squads, and dog units, conducted thorough searches of the premises.

A police official confirmed that no suspicious items were found at either DPS RK Puram or GD Goenka School. However, the incident raised serious concerns given its similarity to recent threats targeting schools across the city.

A Pattern of Hoaxes

This incident comes just a week after a bomb threat was emailed to Rohini's Venkateshwar Global School. That threat also turned out to be a hoax, yet it highlighted vulnerabilities in handling such situations. Notably, a day before the Rohini scare, a low-intensity blast occurred in nearby Prashant Vihar, further intensifying concerns.

Earlier this year, several CRPF schools in Delhi and other parts of the country were similarly targeted with email bomb threats, all of which were later deemed hoaxes.

High Court Mandates Action Plan

In light of the repeated threats, the Delhi High Court recently directed the Aam Aadmi Party-led government and Delhi Police to devise a comprehensive action plan to manage bomb threats and other emergencies effectively. The court mandated an eight-week deadline for formulating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) involving coordinated efforts among school administrations, law enforcement agencies, and municipal authorities.

Justice Sanjeev Narula emphasized that the SOP should outline clear roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders, ensuring seamless coordination and implementation.

Broader Threat Landscape

The recent threats are not confined to Delhi alone. In neighboring Uttar Pradesh, bomb threats were reported at three key locations in Lucknow—Hussainganj metro station, Charbagh railway station, and Alambagh bus stand. These threats were also revealed to be hoaxes following thorough searches.

In a related incident, the iconic Taj Mahal was among the sites targeted by a similar threat. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police received a WhatsApp message on Saturday warning of a bomb blast aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The message, reportedly linked to ISI agents, underscored the broader security challenges facing the country.

The spate of bomb threats across educational institutions and public spaces has heightened the urgency for effective crisis management and preventive measures. While most threats have proven to be hoaxes, they disrupt public order, create panic, and strain law enforcement resources. Authorities must act decisively to ensure robust security frameworks and instill confidence in citizens. The recent directives from the judiciary mark a step forward, but implementation will be key to preventing future incidents and ensuring safety.