Bomb threat emails trigger panic across Ahmedabad and Noida schools; police on high alert

Several schools in Ahmedabad and Noida received bomb threat emails on Friday, prompting immediate action from local authorities and school administrations. Following the alerts, students were sent home as a precautionary measure.

According to police officials, the threatening emails named several schools across Ahmedabad, including St Xavier’s School in Memnagar, Calorex School in Ghatlodia, St Xavier’s Loyola in Navrangpura, DPS School in Bopal, Swayam School in Vastrapur, three branches of Sant Kabir School, Mahatma Gandhi International School in Mithakali, Geneva Liberal School on SP Ring Road, Army School in Shahibaug, JD High School in Naroda, Red Bricks School in Satellite, Vidyanagar School in Usmanpura, Kendriya Vidyalaya in Shahibaug, and Apple Global School.

School authorities immediately informed the police control room upon receiving the emails.

Taking the threats seriously, teams from the city police, bomb disposal squad, dog squad, and crime branch were deployed to the affected campuses, where thorough security checks were carried out.

As a precaution, school managements alerted parents through messages and phone calls, asking them to take their children home. This led to a large number of parents rushing to the school premises, causing temporary panic in several areas.

Police said the emails were sent from an unknown email ID, and the cybercrime department has launched an investigation to trace the sender.

In Noida, several private schools received threat emails. Senior officers, personnel from various police stations, bomb disposal squads, fire services, dog squads and BDDS (bomb detection and disposal squad) teams were rushed to the affected schools.

Intensive checks were carried out at the premises of some private institutions, while a cyber team began technical analysis of the emails, according to a police press note.

"Situation is normal and complete peace and order have been ensured at the sites. People are advised not to pay attention to rumours," the police said

Officials said preliminary assessment suggests the threats to be non-specific, though investigations are ongoing to trace the source of the emails and determine intent.

(with inputs from IANS & PTI)