Hoax Bomb Threat Email from Surat Passport Office Sparks Panic Across Gujarat
In a startling incident that unfolded on Friday, the Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Surat received a bomb threat via email, which later proved to be a hoax. However, due to a critical misunderstanding, the email was inadvertently forwarded to post offices across the entire state of Gujarat, leading to widespread panic and heightened security measures.
Details of the Threat and Initial Response
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) V R Malhotra, the Surat passport office received an email at 5:55 AM threatening an RDX blast on the premises at 12:10 PM, with instructions to evacuate. In response, a team from the Umra police station and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad promptly arrived at the location. After a thorough search, no suspicious items were found, confirming the threat as false.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Divyaprakash Gohil provided further insight, stating that the email originated from an Outlook ID and was initially directed solely at the Surat RPO. "Due to a misunderstanding, the entire state's post offices received the same bomb threat email, which led to panic situations and stepped-up security," Gohil explained.
Chain of Miscommunication and Statewide Alert
The situation escalated when the Surat RPO forwarded the email to the Surat police commissioner's office, with the Navsari Division Post Office copied in the CC. The reason for including Navsari remains unclear, but this action set off a chain reaction. The Navsari Division Post Office then sent the email to the Ahmedabad Post Office, which subsequently forwarded it to numerous post offices across Gujarat, including those in:
- Valsad
- Godhra
- Rajkot
- Bhavnagar
- Other districts
This widespread dissemination alerted local police forces, prompting immediate security responses. In Godhra taluka, police were placed on high alert and conducted an exhaustive search at the Jahurpura post office, though nothing suspicious was discovered.
Additional Threats and Searches in Other Towns
Police reported that similar threat emails were also received in Dahod and Rajpipla, leading to search operations at post offices and passport offices in both towns. Despite these efforts, no suspicious objects were found at any location, reinforcing the hoax nature of the threats.
Further investigation revealed that the original email was sent to 81 government and private organizations across the country, indicating a broader, though unsubstantiated, scare tactic. Authorities are now working to trace the source of the email and prevent such incidents in the future.
This incident underscores the importance of clear communication protocols in handling security threats, as even a minor error can trigger unnecessary panic and divert critical resources. Police have urged the public to remain vigilant but calm, assuring that all necessary precautions are being taken to maintain safety.
