Coimbatore Passport Offices Targeted by Hoax Bomb Threat Email
On Monday morning, the Coimbatore passport office received a disturbing email threatening bomb blasts at two passport offices within the city and one in Pollachi. The email, which triggered immediate security protocols, claimed that poison gas-infused RDX explosives had been strategically placed at these locations.
Specific Locations Mentioned in the Threat
The threatening communication explicitly identified three premises:
- The regional passport office situated near Thandu Mariamman Temple on Avinashi Road
- The passport seva kendra located near SITRA in Coimbatore
- The post office passport seva kendra in Pollachi
The sender, using the pseudonym "Arna Ashwin Sekar," demanded the immediate evacuation of all personnel and visitors from these three facilities. This detailed targeting raised immediate concerns among law enforcement authorities.
Swift Police Response and Intensive Searches
Upon receiving the email, passport officials promptly notified the Coimbatore city police, who immediately activated emergency protocols. The police alerted the specialized Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and deployed the K9 dog squad to assist in the operation.
Two separate security teams were dispatched to the threatened passport offices within Coimbatore city. These teams conducted exhaustive, room-by-room searches of the premises, leaving no area unchecked. Simultaneously, the Coimbatore district police's BDDS unit was mobilized to investigate the passport office in Pollachi.
Threat Declared a Hoax After Comprehensive Investigation
After approximately an hour of meticulous searching at the Coimbatore locations, police authorities confirmed they had found no suspicious materials or devices. The BDDS team investigating the Pollachi passport office reached the same conclusion. All three locations were subsequently declared safe, with officials confirming the bomb threat was a deliberate hoax.
This incident highlights the serious disruption caused by false threats to public institutions, requiring significant police resources and causing unnecessary alarm. The Coimbatore police have initiated an investigation to trace the origin of the threatening email and identify the individual or group responsible for this security scare.
While such hoaxes create temporary panic, the swift and professional response by Coimbatore's law enforcement agencies demonstrates their preparedness for potential security threats. Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities through official channels.
