Bomb threats to over 45 schools, 3 colleges spark panic in Delhi

Over 45 schools and three colleges across Delhi received bomb threats through emails on Friday, triggering panic among the school authorities, students, and parents, the fourth time this week when educational institutes were targeted in this manner.

Delhi Police, along with other quick-response authorities, have initiated a search operation and evacuated the premises, officials said.

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Police officers, along with bomb disposal and dog squads, and the fire department, rushed to the targeted schools.

By far, bomb threats have been received at Maxfort Junior School and Guru Nanak School in Pitampura and six schools in Dwarka, including St. Thomas School, GD Goenka School, DIS Edge School, Modern International School, Dwarka International School, and La Petite Montessori.

Others include Richmond School and Doon Public School in Paschim Vihar; six schools in Rohini—MRG School in Sector 3, Delhi Public School, Sovereign Public School, and Heritage Public School in Sector 24, Delhi International Public School in Sector 9, Abhinav Public School in Sector 3, and The Heritage School; and Summerfield International School in South Delhi.

Bharti Public School in Swasthya Vihar, Hamdard Public School in Sangam Vihar, St. Xavier’s Senior Secondary School in Raj Niwas Marg, North Delhi Public School in Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi Public School in Vikas Puri, Mira Nursery School in Janakpuri, Prudence School, The Indian School in Sadiq Nagar, Delhi Public School on Mathura Road, and Mater Dei School in Tilak Lane are also among the schools that were targeted.

Delhi Jain Public School in Palam, Junior Delhi School, Delhi Public School in R. K. Puram, East of Kailash and Vasant Vihar, The British School in Chanakyapuri, Delhi City School in Bawana, Faith Academy in Prasad Nagar, Amity International School in Saket, Cambridge Foundation School in Rajouri Garden, Big Feather International School, and Kulachi Hansraj Model School in Ashok Vihar also received bomb threats.

As per information shared by police, one of the threatening emails read, “Hello. I am writing to let you know that I have placed several explosive devices (trinitrotoluene) within school classrooms. The explosives are skillfully hidden in black plastic bags.”

However, nothing suspicious has been found so far in Dwarka schools, said Ankit Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka).

Delhi schools, including Richmond Global School, which lies in the west of the city, have received repeated bomb threats. Despite thorough investigations by bomb squads and agencies, no suspicious items have been found. Classes continue normally, and the situation remains under control.

Principal of Richmond Global School, Maupalli Mitra, says, “We received the email at 10:52 pm on Thursday and promptly, by around 10:58 pm, forwarded it to Commissioner Sanjay Arora. We contacted 112 Friday morning. The bomb squad arrived, and cyber experts joined the team.”

“I did not send my son today. It is not that we are panicking, but after repeated incidents, it feels safer to wait things out,” said Parmita Sharma, a parent whose child studies at Richmond School in Paschim Vihar.

Echoing similar concerns, Vikram Singh, whose daughter attends Sovereign School in Rohini, said, “Even if nothing serious is found, these hoax emails disturb the mental peace of children and the parents. We discussed it in our parent group, and many of us decided to skip school for a day.”

“We informed the authorities immediately upon receiving the email. The building was cleared after a full check, and we are conducting classes normally. We had already done emergency drills earlier this year, which helped us respond calmly,” said RK Jindal, school chairperson.

Meanwhile, three colleges—St. Xavier’s School, IP College for Women, Hindu College, and Shri Ram College of Commerce — received bomb threats via email. Standard drill is being followed. Campuses are being searched.