A wave of terror gripped Delhi on Monday as over 40 schools received bomb threats via email, demanding a $30,000 ransom. The emails claimed that multiple bombs had been planted on school premises, causing widespread panic, evacuations, and a heightened sense of insecurity among students, parents, and school authorities.
Threat Details: Chilling Warnings and Demands
The threatening emails described the use of lead azide, an explosive compound typically used in detonators, and warned of severe consequences if the ransom demand was not met.
The emails read:
“I planted multiple bombs inside the building. The bombs are small and hidden very well. They will not cause much damage to the building, but many people will be injured when the bombs detonate. You all deserve to suffer and lose limbs. If I do not receive USD 30,000, I will detonate the bombs.”
Schools Targeted and Evacuations Initiated
Prominent schools across the city, including DPS RK Puram, The British School in Chanakyapuri, and Mother Mary’s School, were among those targeted. Students were evacuated as authorities rushed to address the situation.
- Timeline of Alerts:
- DPS RK Puram: Email received at 7:06 AM.
- GD Goenka, Paschim Vihar: Alert at 6:15 AM.
- Mother Mary’s School: Email received at 11:38 PM on Sunday, prompting immediate precautionary measures.
Parents expressed alarm, with one parent from GD Goenka stating, “We received a call from school management half an hour after my ward reached school.”
Authorities Respond: Investigations Underway
Delhi Police and the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) launched immediate investigations. Bomb disposal squads and security teams were deployed to the affected schools. However, no explosive devices had been found as of the latest updates. Authorities suspect the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to send the emails, complicating the tracing of their origin.
Political Fallout: Government Criticized Over Security Lapses
The bomb threats triggered a political uproar, with Chief Minister Atishi criticizing the central government’s handling of law and order in the national capital. Former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal demanded an immediate response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging him to ensure the safety of Delhi’s children.
Kejriwal also reminded the central government of the Delhi High Court’s earlier directive to establish a concrete action plan for managing bomb threats, a step that remains unfulfilled.
Recurring Threats: A Pattern of Unsolved Cases
This isn’t the first time Delhi has faced such threats. In May 2024, over 200 schools, hospitals, and key government installations received similar bomb threats. Despite extensive investigations, authorities failed to identify the perpetrators due to the emails being routed through VPNs.
Rising Concern Among Parents and Schools
The recent threats have left parents and school administrations on edge. Educational institutions are considering stricter security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Authorities are urging citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities as investigations continue.
Sidenote: This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.
