44 Bengaluru schools received bomb threat; Parents alarmed

Bengaluru: According to police, forty-four private schools in Bengaluru received bomb threats via email on Friday morning.  According to the email, explosives had been placed on school property. After being alerted right away, police have begun scouring the schools for any suspicious items. All of the schools that received the bomb threat—including those in Whitefield, Koremangala, Basveshnagar, Yalahanka, and Sadashivanagar—have bomb disposal squads assigned to them.

Investigation underway

The police stated that no suspicious objects had yet been found and that the staff and pupils had been removed from the premises right away.

“We are verifying the source of the email. We are taking this seriously. I have informed the police to check this on priority,” Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwar said.

“While the calls appear to be a hoax, the police is taking no chances and is making every effort to trace the culprits responsible,” Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dyanand said.

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This was the tweet from Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dyanand

“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,” Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dyanand wrote on X.

Advisory issued to parents of school children

In light of the bomb threat, one of the schools issued an advisory to parents.  “We are encountering an unexpected situation at school today. The school has received a security threat from unknown sources. As we hold the safety of our children at utmost priority, we have decided to disperse the students immediately,” the advisory read.

Karnataka government taking up measures

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reassured parents on Friday, stating, “Precautionary measures have been implemented, and there’s no need for parents to panic.”

“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,” Mr Siddaramaiah said.

One of the schools that was threatened with a bomb is close to the home of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

“I was dismayed after seeing the news on TV, as some schools I know, including the one near my house, were mentioned. I went out to check and was shown the mail by the police. Prima facie, it appears to be a hoax. I spoke to the police, and they are currently investigating the matter. We should be cautious, but there is no need to worry. Parents are understandably concerned, but the police are handling the situation,” Mr Shivakumar said.