Over 35 schools in Bengaluru receive bomb threat email, parents in tizzy; turns out to be hoax

BENGALURU: Panic and confusion prevailed on Friday morning after more than 35 schools — 22 in the city and at least 12 on the outskirts — received emails threatening a bomb blast. The email, sent from the ID ‘Kharijites’ (khharijites @beeble.com), while mentioning ‘kafirs’, ‘Mujahideen’, ‘Zionists’, threatened to “Convert to Islam or die under the weight of the sword of Islam”.

After extensive searches by the police and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS), the email threat was declared a hoax. The BDDS squads had been called in from Tumakuru and Hassan as well. All senior police officers also visited the schools.

On receiving the email, schools sent out messages to parents to pick up their wards and almost all schools in the city closed for the day. Hordes of parents could be seen outside many schools to pick up their children. Shockingly, the number of schools receiving the emails increased over the morning as each one was opened.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured that a thorough probe will be carried out.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “Security measures have been taken, and parents need not panic”. The CM said that he has instructed the police to inspect the schools and enhance security and urged parents to remain calm during this time.

“The police will investigate, and I have directed them to do so. Security measures have been taken, and parents need not panic. I have instructed the police to inspect the schools and enhance security. A preliminary report has been received from the police department”, Siddaramaiah said.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar at the Neev Early Years preschool.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who was working out on the treadmill at his Sadashivnagar residence, rushed to Neev Early Years preschool just opposite. He spoke to the police officers present on the scene and gathered information.

Speaking to media persons later, he said, “Parents of children need not need to worry. Within a few hours, our cyber crime department will trap the culprits. It is a hoax call and parents should not panic. We are there to protect your children”.

Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara assured stringent action against the perpetrators. He emphasised the government’s commitment to safety, stating that all necessary precautions are being taken, including thorough inspections of the schools.

“Last year also such threats were received. We cannot take any risk; we are inspecting the schools and taking all precautionary measures in schools. We will take strict action against those who are making threatening calls. We are looking into all aspects”, he said.

Police Commissioner B Dayananda said that initial probe showed that the email appeared to be a hoax. “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 emails seem to be hoax. Even then all efforts will be made to trace the culprits”, the Commissioner said in a post on X.

Among the schools which received the threat email were National Academy for Learning (NAFL), Vidyashilp Academy and five others in Basaveshwaranagar, APS and Vidyashilp Academy in Yelahanka, St John’s School in Bharatinagar, Inventure Academy, St Joseph’s School on Vittal Mallya Road, Bishop Cotton’s School on Residency Road, Cathedral School on Richmond Road, Chitrakoota School and Kaushalya School and four others in Kengeri, Vidya Mandir, BES School and Clooney Convent in Malleswaram and some other schools in Kamalanagar and Rajajinagar, Nirmala Rani School, three schools in Hebbagodi, five in Sarjapur, two in Bannerghatta police limits.

Opposition leader R Ashoka said he had spoken to the police commissioner to take inputs about the email threat. “The email looks like a terror threat and the should establish where it was sent from and arrest the culprits.” BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar said, “I visited the schools in my constituency and read the email. It targets one community and I request the government to act firmly against such people”.