The office of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) in Kolar, Karnataka, was thrown into a state of high alert on Tuesday after receiving yet another hoax bomb threat. This incident marks the second such scare to target the district administrative headquarters within a short span, raising serious security concerns.
Panic and Swift Police Response
According to police officials, the threat was delivered via an email that landed in the inbox of the district administration on Tuesday morning. The message contained alarming content, claiming that an explosive device had been planted on the premises of the Deputy Commissioner's office complex.
Upon receiving the information, the local police and security personnel acted with urgency. The area around the DC office was immediately cordoned off as a precautionary measure. A thorough search operation was launched by the police bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs to scan the entire building and its surroundings for any suspicious objects.
A Repeat Offence and Ongoing Investigation
This is not the first time the Kolar DC office has faced such a disruptive threat. A similar hoax bomb threat was reported on April 22, 2024, causing widespread panic and leading to a massive response from security forces. The recurrence of the incident within weeks has intensified the probe.
Preliminary investigations by the cyber crime and local police units suggest that the latest threat email, like the previous one, originated from a foreign location. Authorities are working to trace the exact source and identity of the individual or group behind these malicious acts. The use of email to spread terror and disrupt public administration is being treated as a serious cyber crime.
Consequences and Public Reassurance
The hoax caused significant disruption to the normal functioning of the district headquarters. Government work was temporarily affected as employees and visitors were evacuated or denied entry during the security sweep. However, after hours of meticulous searching, the police confirmed that no explosive device was found, declaring the threat a hoax.
Senior police officials have assured the public that the situation is under control and that all necessary steps are being taken. They have urged citizens not to panic and to report any suspicious activity immediately. The investigation aims to not only identify the culprit but also to understand the motive and prevent such incidents in the future, which drain police resources and create unnecessary fear.
The repeated targeting of a key government office highlights vulnerabilities that need addressing. Security protocols for screening communications and securing public buildings are likely to be reviewed in the wake of these events.
