Bomb threat aimed at distracting security forces and causing panic in Delhi-NCR schools
Additional information regarding these hoax calls was disclosed, indicating that in investigations of such incidents, the communication mediums, primarily emails and calls, often cannot be traced
May 1, news agency ANI reported that close to 100 schools in Delhi-NCR received bomb threats via email, cautioning them about potential bombs on their premises.Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena urged parents to support school authorities as they conducted search operations.
Intelligence officials suggested that the threat might be a hoax intended to in-still fear. Atul Garg , the chief of Delhi Fire Services said “There were repeated calls from one place. As of now we can say that bomb threat calls from nearly 60 schools were received at our fire control room. Our fire tenders returned from some schools as they were already evacuated and checked. The numbers may increase.”
The following Delhi-NCR schools were targeted by the bomb threat:
- Delhi Public School (DPS) Mathura Road
- DPS Vasant Kunj
- DPS Dwarka
- DPS Noida Sector 30
- DPS Greater Noida
- Mother Mary in Mayur Vihar
- Culture School in Chankyapuri
- DAV School Shrestha Vihar
- Amity School in Saket
- Springdales School Pusa Road
- Shri Ram World School in Dwarka
- St. Thomas School in Chawla
- GD Goenka School in Sarita Vihar
- Sachdeva Global School in Dwarka
- DAV School in Vikaspuri
- BGS International School in Dwarka
- Ramjas School in RK Puram
- NKBPS School in Rohini
- Hillwoods Academy in Preet Vihar
- Ryan International School
Additional information regarding these hoax calls was disclosed, indicating that in investigations of such incidents, the communication mediums, primarily emails and calls, often cannot be traced. This lack of traceability poses a challenge for law enforcement and intelligence agencies in identifying the perpetrators. The top intelligence agencies said “This is possibly some group who is creating this information war and no security force can take this lightly. This is an attempt to keep security forces busy and create panic among parents. This is an attempt to discredit the system.”
The email address used to send bomb threat letters to schools in Delhi NCR is [email protected]. Further investigation reveals that ‘Sawariim,’ an Arabic term meaning ‘clashing of swords,’ has been associated with the Islamic State’s Islamist propaganda since 2014. Delhi Police is actively looking into the possibility of organizational involvement behind these threatening emails, according to ANI reports.
Following a hoax bomb threat received by over 100 schools in Delhi and nearby Noida, the Delhi government issued a directive on May 1 for schools to regularly check their official email addresses for timely updates. Subsequently, the threat was confirmed as a hoax by the police as no suspicious items were discovered during their searches.
The advisory issued by the Directorate of Education stated “ In view of the current situation wherein bomb threats were received by a few schools of Delhi in early hours of morning of 01.05.2024, it is advised that School Administrators/Managers/Heads of Government/Government Aided and Unaided Recognised Schools under the Directorate of Education, GNCT Delhi should ensure that emails/messages received on official email id of the school at any time of the day (before, during or after school hours) are checked timely.”
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