A wave of bomb threat emails sent to schools in Ahmedabad triggered panic among parents and prompted a quick security response, just days ahead of Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
Multiple prominent schools across the city were placed on high alert on Friday morning after receiving threatening messages, forcing authorities to move swiftly to ensure student safety.
According to officials, at least seven well-known schools in Ahmedabad were targeted through emails warning of explosive devices on campus. The threats were received shortly after school hours began, setting off alarm bells within school administrations. Among the institutions named in the emails were three branches of Saint Kabir School, DPS Bopal, St Xavier’s Loyola School in Navrangpura, Kalorex Future School in Ghatlodia and Swayam School in Vastrapur.
As soon as the alerts were received, school authorities informed the police control room. Teams from the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, along with the Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad (BDDS), dog squad and forensic experts, were rushed to the campuses. Extensive searches were carried out across classrooms, corridors, playgrounds and common areas to rule out any potential threat, according to media reports.
Parents were immediately notified through messages and phone calls and asked to take their children home as a precautionary measure. The sudden communication led to scenes of anxiety outside several school campuses, with large numbers of parents arriving simultaneously to pick up their wards. At DPS Bopal, some parents reported confusion after being asked to complete consent formalities before taking their children, a process that added to the tension in an already sensitive situation.
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch said investigations are ongoing and efforts are being made to trace the origin of the emails. The bomb squad and forensic department continue to examine the threat messages, while cyber experts are analysing technical details to identify the sender. Officials emphasised that the measures taken were purely precautionary and aimed at ensuring there was no risk to students or staff.
While Ahmedabad remained on high alert through the day, similar threat emails were reported from schools in Noida, prompting authorities there to also act swiftly.
In Noida, Shiv Nadar School announced closure for Friday after receiving a bomb threat via email. In a message sent to parents, the school principal said the decision was taken as a precaution to allow a complete security sweep of the premises. Parents were informed that school buses were being sent back and asked to collect their children from designated drop-off points, with bus staff providing real-time updates.
Two other prominent schools in Noida — Bal Bharati School and Cambridge School — also took precautionary steps following threat alerts. Cambridge School asked parents to immediately pick up their children after receiving a threatening email. Bal Bharati School was placed on high alert, and pre-primary classes, including Nursery, LKG and UKG, were dismissed. However, no detailed explanation was initially shared with parents. Due to staggered schedules and multiple bus routes, students from Classes 1 to 12 remained on campus at the time, adding to confusion among families awaiting further instructions.
The Noida police said that upon receiving information about threat emails sent to private schools, senior officers and personnel from local police stations were deployed at the affected campuses. Bomb squads, fire brigade teams, dog squads and BDDS units conducted thorough checks to ensure there was no danger. A cyber team has also been tasked with conducting a technical examination of the emails to trace their source.
Authorities in both cities have urged parents and the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies. While no suspicious objects were found during searches as of Friday evening, officials said investigations are continuing and security has been tightened, especially with Republic Day approaching.
Also Read: Gujarat: Bomb Threat Prompts Holiday at Vadodara Schools, Turns Out to Be Hoax https://www.vibesofindia.com/gujarat-bomb-threat-prompts-holiday-at-vadodara-schools-turns-out-to-be-hoax/
