Punjab Secretariat and Chandigarh Court Targeted by Bomb Threat Email
In a recurring security scare, the Punjab Civil Secretariat and Chandigarh District Court were once again subjected to a bomb threat delivered via email. This incident mirrors a series of similar alerts that have plagued the region over recent days, causing disruptions and mobilizing emergency responses.
Immediate Evacuation and Security Response
Upon receiving the threatening email, which specified times of 2:11 PM for the Punjab Civil Secretariat and 3:11 PM for the District Court complex, officials at the secretariat promptly alerted the Chandigarh police. A swift and coordinated response ensued, with teams from Sector 11 and Sector 3 police stations, fire tenders, the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), and the Quick Reaction Team (QRT) converging on the locations.
The buildings were immediately evacuated as a precautionary measure, ensuring the safety of all personnel and visitors. Security agencies launched a thorough search operation, meticulously inspecting every corner of both premises under the supervision of concerned officials.
Extensive Searches Yield No Suspicious Findings
An exhaustive examination of the Punjab Civil Secretariat and the District Court complex was conducted, covering all areas to detect any potential explosive devices. Despite the comprehensive efforts, no suspicious objects or materials were discovered during the operation.
Concurrently, a separate security sweep was carried out at the District Court premises. Teams from Sector 36 police, alongside the bomb disposal squad, QRT, and fire brigade, scrutinized the entire court facility. Similar to the secretariat, this search concluded without recovering any threatening items.
Clearance Issued and Investigation Initiated
Following the unsuccessful searches, the Bomb Disposal Squad, led by ASI Jagpal, formally issued a written clearance certificate to the relevant officials, declaring both sites safe. Police authorities indicated that, based on preliminary assessments, the threat appeared to be a hoax.
An investigation has been launched to identify the sender of the threatening email, with efforts focused on tracing the source and preventing future incidents. The chaos and disruption caused by the alerts eventually subsided, allowing normal operations to resume at both the Punjab Civil Secretariat and Chandigarh District Court after the all-clear was given.
