On Wednesday, a series of bomb threat emails sent to civic authorities across Maharashtra triggered a widespread security scare. The threats targeted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur, the chief minister's office (CMO), and mayoral offices in Mumbai and Pune, prompting evacuations at some locations and intensive security searches, officials reported.
Nagpur: RSS headquarters targeted
The threats first came to light after Nagpur mayor Neeta Thakre received an email claiming that explosives had been planted at the RSS headquarters in Mahal and Dr Hedgewar Smruti Bhavan in Reshimbagh. A bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS) was immediately dispatched to these sites and conducted extensive searches. Officials confirmed that nothing suspicious was found, but security checks were intensified, and all sensitive areas were being inspected as a precautionary measure.
Mumbai: Threats to mayor's office, CMO, and BSE
In Mumbai, similar emails were received by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), warning of explosions at several prominent locations, including the mayor's office and the chief minister's office. According to officials, the emails warned of bomb blasts at the mayor's office, CMO, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building, and civic offices. The messages allegedly contained references to Khalistan along with threatening and inflammatory content. One email claimed that an improvised explosive device (IED)-laden car would be used to trigger a blast at the Mumbai mayor's office at 1:11 pm. It also carried bomb threats to the BSE building, the CMO, and BMC offices at specified times.
Pune: Evacuations and searches
Pune authorities also received a similar threat email at the municipal corporation's main office and mayor's office. As a precaution, the administrative building was evacuated, and bomb detection teams carried out a thorough search of the premises. The email, purportedly sent by a group identifying itself as the Khalistan National Army, threatened a series of IED blasts at the Pune municipal corporation mayor's office at 1:11 pm, the Vidhan Bhavan at 3:11 pm, and the RSS headquarters in Nagpur at 3:11 pm, police and civic officials said. The email claimed that the RSS had supported the 1984 Operation Bluestar and Operation Woodrose, and called for 'badla' (revenge) along with the 'end' of the BJP and the RSS.
Security measures and investigation
Security has been stepped up at all locations mentioned in the emails, while agencies are working to trace their origin. The police urged people not to panic and assured that all necessary security measures were in place. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining digital footprints to identify the perpetrators.
