Chandigarh Schools Evacuated After Bomb Threats: 30 Institutions Targeted
Panic swept across Chandigarh on Wednesday as a wave of bomb threats targeted educational institutions, disrupting normal life and triggering large-scale security responses. A total of 30 schools—comprising 22 private and eight government institutions—received identical threatening emails, prompting immediate evacuations and heightened alertness throughout the city.
Immediate Response and Evacuation Chaos
The email warnings, which specified a blast scheduled for 1:11 PM, caused immediate alarm among school authorities, parents, and students. In a precautionary move, several schools declared an early holiday, while many others urgently requested parents to collect their children. This sudden rush led to significant traffic congestion on major city roads, particularly in Sector 26 and along Madhya Marg, where five of the affected schools are located. Pre-board examinations underway in some institutions were abruptly cancelled, adding to the disruption.
Authorities utilized WhatsApp groups and official communication channels to coordinate with parents, ensuring the safe retrieval of students. Some schools arranged for buses to transport children home securely, minimizing potential risks.
Security Measures and Police Action
The Chandigarh Police announced that, beginning January 29, regular and enhanced deployment would be ensured in and around all schools to maintain security and prevent any untoward incidents. An FIR has been registered at the Sector 17 police station under Sections 113(3), 351(4), and 62 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 66F of the IT Act, against an unidentified accused.
SSP Kanwardeep Kaur revealed that the police control room first received alerts from four schools around 8 AM. In response, bomb disposal squads, dog squads, quick response teams (QRT), fire tenders, ambulances, PCR units, and staff from concerned police stations were immediately dispatched. As the day progressed, more schools reported receiving similar threats, leading to the evacuation and thorough search of all 30 institutions. Fortunately, no explosive or suspicious material was found at any location.
Cyber Crime Investigation and Public Appeal
The cyber crime unit has initiated a technical investigation into the emails, examining the sender's digital trail, including server details and origin. Police have urged the public not to believe or circulate unverified information and appealed to citizens to report any suspicious activity to the emergency helpline 112 or the nearest police station.
History of Similar Threats in the Region
This incident is not isolated. In May and August 2025, the Punjab and Haryana High Court received bomb threats via emails. The Sector 3 police registered a case against unknown persons, with investigations tracing the IP address to France and the email ID to the United States. However, no arrests have been made in those cases so far.
In December 2025, another bomb threat targeted the Chandigarh District Court Complex in Sector 43, creating panic. The threat, sent to the court's official email ID, mentioned dropping a bomb on the building via drone. Judicial officers, lawyers, employees, and common people present in the court were safely evacuated to the parking area, highlighting a recurring pattern of such hoaxes in the region.
