After Bengaluru, over 50 Delhi schools get bomb threat emails; third consecutive day of such hoaxes

PTC Web Desk: In a disturbing series of events, over 50 schools in Delhi received bomb threat emails on Friday morning, prompting immediate security measures across the city. This comes closely on the heels of similar threats made to schools in Bengaluru earlier in the day. The authorities have deployed bomb disposal teams and squads at multiple educational institutions as part of extensive search operations.

Among the schools that received the threatening emails are prominent institutions like St Xavier’s in Civil Lines, Richmond Global School in Paschim Vihar, Abhinav Public School in Rohini, and The Sovereign School in Rohini. Further details on the other affected schools are still being ascertained.

This latest wave of bomb threats follows a series of similar incidents earlier this week. On Wednesday, at least seven schools across the city received bomb threat emails, marking the third consecutive day of such hoaxes. Earlier, on Tuesday, two educational institutions, St Stephen’s College in North Campus and St Thomas School in Dwarka, were targeted. The email to St Stephen’s College, which arrived around 7.15 am, claimed that four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and two packets of RDX had been planted across the campus, including the library, and threatened to detonate by 2 pm. However, the authorities later confirmed that all these threats were hoaxes.

The Delhi Police confirmed that investigations had led to the identification of a 12-year-old boy from south Delhi, who allegedly sent one of the hoax emails using his personal mobile phone. The boy, a student at a private school, was questioned, counselled, and subsequently sent home. According to police sources, the boy claimed it was a prank, and he is currently undergoing treatment for a mental health condition.

Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Atishi condemned the ongoing security breaches, criticising the ruling BJP government for its failure to ensure the safety and security of schoolchildren. In a statement, she said, “More than 20 schools have received bomb threats today! Think of the trauma that children, parents, and teachers are going through. BJP controls all four engines of governance in Delhi and yet cannot provide safety or security to our children! Shocking!”

The authorities are continuing their efforts to secure schools and investigate the sources of the threats. Meanwhile, educational institutions are on high alert, ensuring the safety of students and staff while the investigation unfolds.