Bomb Threat Email Sparks Panic at Pune Passport Office
A chilling bomb threat email sent to the official email ID of the passport office in Pune triggered a brief but intense panic at the Baner facility on Thursday morning. The alarming message claimed that powerful explosives, specifically RDX and IEDs, had been strategically planted within the office premises with the alleged assistance of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Police Launch Immediate Investigation and Security Sweep
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone IV) Chilumula Rajnikanth confirmed to TOI that authorities have registered a formal case against the unknown email sender at the Baner police station. "We have registered a case against the email sender at the Baner police station. Further investigation is going on," stated DCP Rajnikanth, emphasizing the seriousness with which law enforcement is treating the threat.
In a swift response to the vague but dangerous email, which did not specify the exact passport office location, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Branch) Sandip Bhajibhakare ordered a comprehensive security operation. "We dispatched the bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS) to Baner, Senapati Bapat Road and Mundhwa passport offices in the city as the email did not specify the office," explained DCP Bhajibhakare.
Thorough Searches Yield No Suspicious Findings
The bomb detection and disposal squads conducted meticulous inspections across all three targeted passport offices in Pune. Teams carefully examined:
- Every floor of the office buildings
- All office cabins and workspaces
- Parking areas and surrounding premises
"We did not find any suspicious object," confirmed DCP Bhajibhakare, providing some relief after the tense security operation. The thorough search protocol followed standard bomb threat procedures to ensure complete safety.
Email Details and Ongoing Investigation
The threatening email, which specifically mentioned the use of RDX and IED explosives while alleging Pakistan's ISI involvement, has become the focal point of the police investigation. Authorities are now working to trace the origin of the email and identify the sender, while also assessing the credibility of the threat and potential motives behind it.
Security has been heightened at passport offices across Pune as a precautionary measure, with police maintaining vigilance despite the negative findings from the initial searches. The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by government facilities and the importance of robust threat response protocols in urban centers.
