Over 40 Delhi Schools Receive Bomb Threat; Students Sent Home as Authorities Investigate

Delhi, December 9, 2024 :  A bomb threat sent shockwaves through the capital on Monday morning, with over 40 schools in Delhi, including prominent institutions like DPS RK Puram and GD Goenka School, receiving alarming threats via email. The threats prompted immediate action, with students being sent back home and authorities launching a full-scale investigation.

The email, sent at 11:38 PM on Sunday night, claimed that multiple bombs had been planted inside several school buildings across the city. "The bombs are small and hidden very well," the email warned. This led to a state of heightened alert as parents rushed to pick up their children, while school staff and emergency services scrambled to ensure safety.

The threat was first reported at around 6:15 AM, when the Delhi Fire Department received a call from GD Goenka School in Paschim Vihar, followed by another call from DPS RK Puram at 7:06 AM. Emergency teams, including bomb detection squads, sniffer dogs, and local police, were immediately deployed to the affected schools to conduct thorough searches of the premises.

So far, no suspicious devices or explosives have been found, and authorities are treating the threat as a possible hoax. Police officials stated that a detailed investigation is underway to track down the source of the threatening email.

The bomb threat comes just weeks after a similar scare in October, when a blast occurred outside a CRPF school in Rohini's Prashant Vihar, causing damage to nearby properties. Following that incident, an email threat was received on October 21, claiming bombs would explode at all CRPF schools by 11 AM the next day, which was later determined to be a hoax.

Authorities have expressed concern over the increasing frequency of such threats, which have caused panic and disrupted daily life for both students and parents. They are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities immediately.

Background of Recent Threats

The recent bomb threats are part of a disturbing trend that has affected several schools in Delhi in recent months. In October, an explosion outside the CRPF school raised concerns about the safety of educational institutions, particularly those associated with security forces. However, investigations revealed that the bomb threat targeting CRPF schools was a false alarm.

Delhi Police have assured the public that all precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of students and staff across the city. The investigation into Monday’s bomb threat is ongoing, with officials exploring all leads to determine the identity of the person or group responsible for sending the email.

Impact on Students and Parents

The morning's events disrupted normal school routines, with parents arriving in large numbers to collect their children from schools. Many expressed concern about the repeated bomb threats and the potential dangers posed to their children’s safety.

"I was terrified when I received the call from the school asking me to come pick up my child immediately," said a parent whose child attends DPS RK Puram. "The authorities are doing their job, but these threats are becoming more frequent, and it’s worrying."

While the authorities continue to assure the public that safety protocols are in place, the recurring nature of such threats has left many parents questioning the security measures at schools in the city.

Call for Stronger Security Measures

In the wake of these incidents, experts have called for increased vigilance and enhanced security protocols at schools, including the installation of more advanced surveillance systems, regular drills, and better communication channels between schools and law enforcement agencies.

"Educational institutions need to be more prepared to handle such situations," said a security expert. "While the police and emergency services have responded swiftly, the threats have become more sophisticated, and schools need to be more proactive in preventing such incidents from causing panic."

As investigations continue, Delhi Police have urged citizens to remain calm and trust that appropriate action will be taken to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the community at large.