As many as 44 schools in Bengaluru found themselves at the centre of panic as anonymous bomb threats flooded their inboxes on Friday.
The threats, delivered from various masked IP addresses, triggered immediate emergency responses in 15 schools, affecting more than 5,000 students, who were either sent home or detained pending police clearance.
The wave of threats began with seven schools, including well-known institutions like Napel and Vidyashilpa in Basaveshwar Nagar. Notably, one of the targeted schools is located opposite the residence of Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, adding an extra layer of concern to the situation.
BREAKING: Bomb threat emails were received by 13 schools in #Bengaluru today.
Police on high alert, conducting thorough searches in school premises. No evidence, however, have been found so far. Appears to be a hoax call, similar incidents reported earlier this year.… pic.twitter.com/C2IdbRu5Hf
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 1, 2023
While addressing the media, DK Shivakumar shared his experience: “I was watching TV, the school opposite to my house also got a threat mail. I came here to check.” The threats quickly escalated, with several other educational institutions receiving similar emails. In response, Bengaluru Police swiftly evacuated students and staff from the schools as a precautionary measure.
Although there are indications that these bomb threats may be hoaxes, the police are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of the schools. Bomb disposal squads are conducting thorough searches, though as of now, no presence of actual explosives has been confirmed.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner reassured the public through a post on social media platform X, stating, “Certain schools in Bengaluru city have received emails today morning indicating ‘bomb threat.’ The calls seem to be a hoax. Even then, all efforts will be made to trace the culprits.”
View The Tweet Here:
Certain schools in Bengaluru city have received emails today morning indicating ‘bomb threat’. Anti sabotage and bomb detection squads have been pressed into service to verify and ascertain. The calls seem to be hoax. Even then all efforts will be made to trace the culprits. pic.twitter.com/QqBaSuJ11W
— CP Bengaluru ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಆಯುಕ್ತ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು (@CPBlr) December 1, 2023
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken the situation seriously, directing police officials to conduct a meticulous investigation into the bomb threats. Seeking to allay concerns, he emphasised, “Security measures have been taken, and parents need not panic. I have instructed the police to inspect the schools and enhance security.”
Last year, many private schools in Bengaluru received similar kinds of email threats, but they all turned out to be hoaxes.
The email threats are on similar lines to those received in multiple schools in 2022. NEEV, KLAY, Vidyashilp are some of the schools where such checks are being conducted