The anti-terror unit of Delhi Police has started investigations into the bomb threat email sent to over 130 schools in the Delhi-NCR region, as the initial probe hinted at a deeper conspiracy by a terror group during the Lok Sabha elections 2024.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of law for offences like conspiracy and threat by the Special Cell and a dedicated team formed to conduct the investigation. "The matter is related to national security. It needs a deeper probe," an official said.
Bomb squads were put through a test as threat loomed on 131 schools in Delhi and adjoining region of Noida as bomb threats were received by school authorities on Wednesday morning. The Delhi Police had to rush their dog and bomb squads to more than 100 schools which received a bomb threat via e-mail, originating from Russia.
As schools took various safety measures to ensure the safety of the students, the city police too went into an overdrive after their emergency phone started ringing from 6 am with bomb threat reports, a situation that lasted till 3 pm. Some schools even made a PCR call without receiving a threat as panic gripped the national capital.
Senior police officers with dog and bomb squads had to rush from one school to another and there was no time to be wasted. "Every district has its own one bomb squad and one dog squad. If needed, we take help from other districts. But today the situation was totally different as all the schools of Delhi in different 15 districts received bomb threats through e-mail," a senior police officer said.
Another senior police officer, who requested anonymity, said that they did face a bit of a problem in moving the dog and bomb squad immediately, but they managed the situation. "There are almost 20 members in the dog and bomb quad. We divided those members according to the call. We also directed them to make no hurry," said the officer.In light of the event and being prepared for any uncertain future circumstances, some schools said they plan to issue a circular for parents, outlining the standard operating procedure to guide them on how to react in adverse situations like these.
