For the second consecutive day, several schools in Delhi, including DPS RK Puram and Ryan International School Vasant Kunj, received bomb threat emails, sparking fresh security concerns across the national capital.
Key Details of the Threat
- Timing of Threat:
- A group email was received by the schools at 6:12 AM on Saturday.
- The threatening email was sent from an address identified as “childrenofallah@outlook.com“ under the name Barry Allah.
- Email Content:
- The email mentioned:“Allah sees your efforts to resist his punishment… The Prophet Mohammed has allowed the children to burn in the sacred flame of Allah… Our bomb vests are blessed by the Prophet Muhammad. They shall not fail their goal.”
- The email also suggested the threat was timed for a Saturday, when students might not be in school, increasing panic among staff and authorities.
Immediate Response
- Police and Emergency Teams Activated:
- Upon receiving information, the Delhi Police, bomb detection squads, and fire officials reached the affected schools.
- Thorough searches were conducted, but no suspicious objects or explosives were found.
- Investigation:
- Authorities revealed that the email threats are believed to have been generated from outside the country, raising questions about the source and intent.
- The Delhi Police have intensified cyber investigations to trace the origin of the emails.
Previous Incidents
- On December 13, over 30 schools in Delhi received similar hoax bomb threats via email, causing mass evacuations and panic.
- Earlier, on December 8, more than 40 schools in Delhi received bomb threats demanding a ransom of USD 30,000.
- These incidents highlight a disturbing pattern of recurring threats targeting educational institutions.
Concerns Raised
- Impact on Students and Parents:
- These repeated threats have caused anxiety among parents, staff, and students, disrupting studies and mental well-being.
- Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi Chief Minister, expressed concerns over the psychological and academic effects, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention.
- Court-Directed Action Plan:
- On November 19, the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi Government and Police to create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to handle bomb threats and emergencies efficiently.
- A deadline of 8 weeks was set for developing the action plan.
Conclusion
The repeated bomb threats targeting schools in Delhi underscore an urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures, robust emergency protocols, and a streamlined investigation process to address such disruptions effectively. While no explosives have been found so far, authorities remain on high alert as investigations continue.