Top security agencies in Madhya Pradesh were placed on high alert following an anonymous bomb threat email received by the strategic Ordnance Factory in Itarsi, Narmadapuram district. The alarming message, which landed late on Monday night, triggered an immediate and large-scale multi-agency response to secure the vital defense installation.
Swift Security Response and Factory Searches
Authorities acted without delay upon receiving the threatening communication. Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) for Narmadapuram, Abhishek Rajan, confirmed that police teams rushed to the factory premises to reinforce security. As a critical precaution, the entire area was cordoned off.
Specialized bomb disposal squads were mobilized, with two teams accompanied by sniffer dogs reaching the factory around 1 pm on Tuesday. They launched an exhaustive search operation across sensitive locations within the sprawling complex that manufactures ammunition and missile-related equipment for the Indian armed forces.
Panic and Precautionary Measures
The threat email caused considerable anxiety within the factory after news of it spread. The anonymous sender escalated concerns by claiming that similar explosive devices had also been planted at the residences of two prominent personalities in Tamil Nadu. The email warned that the devices could detonate at any time.
Despite initial suspicions of a hoax, authorities treated the threat with utmost seriousness. Personnel from Pathrota, Itarsi, Rampur, and Tawanagar police stations swiftly descended on the factory. Senior officers took charge on the ground, significantly tightening security both inside and around the facility.
Ongoing Investigation and Historical Context
While the intensive physical searches, which continued till late, did not yield any suspicious objects, the operation had not been officially called off. Officials maintained that the situation was under control. Concurrently, cybercrime teams have been engaged to trace the origin of the threatening email.
A formal complaint has been registered at the Pathrota police station, paving the way for a detailed investigation to identify the sender and assess any wider security implications. This incident is not isolated; the Itarsi Ordnance Factory received a similar threatening email in April of this year, which was later declared a hoax after thorough checks. However, the recurrence has prompted security agencies to exercise even greater caution.
