Several schools evacuated after threat emails; Chandigarh and Jalandhar railway stations also mentioned

Chandigarh, 13 July (H.S.): Security agencies have been put on high alert ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s likely visit to Chandigarh on July 17 after several schools in Chandigarh, Mohali and Ludhiana received bomb threat emails.

According to information, six schools, including Shivalik Public School in Phase 6, Mohali, received emails threatening bomb blasts in Chandigarh and Jalandhar on July 17. The email also claimed that the Mohali Mayor’s office and the railway stations in Chandigarh and Jalandhar would be targeted.

The threat email also mentioned Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu and warned people against attending the Prime Minister’s rally.

After receiving the threat, Shivalik Public School was immediately evacuated and students were safely sent home. The school management informed the police and security agencies, following which a search operation was launched.

Meanwhile, KVM City School near the railway station in Ludhiana also received a similar threat email. The school management declared a holiday and sent the students home. Police teams and the bomb disposal squad searched classrooms, offices and other areas of the school. No suspicious or objectionable object was found during the initial search.

KVM City School Principal Pankaj Joshi said the threat email was received at around 10:30 am. He said it was not yet clear who had sent the email or who was behind it.

In view of the repeated threat emails, Punjab Police, Chandigarh Police and central security agencies have increased vigilance. Police have intensified the probe with the help of cyber experts to identify the senders of the emails. However, the claims made in the threat emails have not been officially confirmed so far.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH