Mohali Schools Face Bomb Threat Scare, Evacuations Ordered
In a chilling echo of recent events, Mohali district was gripped by a security alert on Wednesday as 18 private schools received bomb threat emails, prompting immediate evacuations and extensive search operations. This incident follows a similar scare just two weeks prior, when 30 schools in Chandigarh were targeted with mass bomb-threat emails, highlighting a concerning pattern of disruptions.
Threat Details and Immediate Response
The threatening messages, which warned of a "human bomb" attack scheduled for 1.16 pm, were delivered to schools between 7.30 am and 8.00 am. According to Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harmandeep Singh Hans, the affected institutions included 16 schools in Mohali, along with one each in Zirakpur and Kharar. Acting with urgency, police teams led by Superintendents of Police (SPs), Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), and Station House Officers (SHOs) rushed to the scenes to coordinate the response.
All schools were evacuated and closed for students and staff well before the search operations commenced, stated SSP Hans, emphasizing the priority placed on safety. To bolster the effort, anti-sabotage teams and bomb disposal squads were requisitioned from neighbouring districts and the Chandigarh headquarters, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the threat.
Search Operations and Findings
The search operations, which were meticulously supervised by senior police officials including SP (City) Dilpreet Singh and other SPs such as Navneet Singh Mahal, Mohit Aggarwal, Sukhnaz Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Talwinder Singh Gill, covered all premises within approximately two-and-a-half hours. With the support of additional force and specialised teams, the checking was thorough and efficient.
No explosive material was found at any of the locations, confirmed SSP Hans, providing relief to the community. DSP City-1 Prithvi Singh Chahal, DSP City-2 Harsimran Singh Bal, and all SHOs were actively involved in monitoring the exercise on the ground, ensuring that every potential risk was addressed.
Ongoing Investigation and Security Measures
SSP Hans reassured the public that Mohali police remains fully alert and prepared to tackle such threats, underscoring the department's commitment to maintaining security. In response to the incident, an FIR is being lodged, and the matter has been referred to the cyber police station in Phase-7, Mohali. This step aims to ascertain the origin of the email ID and conduct a detailed forensic investigation to identify the perpetrators behind these alarming communications.
The swift action by authorities prevented any physical harm, but the psychological impact on students, parents, and staff cannot be overlooked. This event serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in digital security and the need for robust protocols to handle such crises effectively.
