Bhubaneswar, 18 March (H.S.): A bomb threat sent via email to the Regional Passport Office in Unit-8, Bhubaneswar, on Wednesday triggered panic and prompted a swift response from law enforcement agencies. The threat led to the immediate evacuation of the premises and a comprehensive search operation.

According to official sources, the email claimed that an explosive device had been planted inside the office building. Acting promptly, authorities evacuated all staff and visitors and sealed off the area as a precautionary measure.

Personnel from Nayapali police station, along with bomb disposal and dog squads, rushed to the spot and conducted an extensive search of the premises. The teams thoroughly scanned the building using metal detectors, while sniffer dogs were deployed to detect any suspicious materials.

After a detailed inspection of all floors, rooms, and surrounding areas, no explosives or suspicious objects were found. Officials subsequently declared the threat a hoax.

The incident is part of a recent spate of similar hoax threats in the city. Earlier, the Bhubaneswar District Court complex had also received a bomb threat via email, which led to evacuation and search operations. That incident, too, was later confirmed to be a false alarm.

Police have launched an investigation to trace the origin of the email in the latest case. Authorities are also examining whether these repeated threats are interconnected and part of a broader pattern targeting key public institutions in Bhubaneswar.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda