On Friday morning, Bengaluru was rocked by alarming news as three prestigious engineering colleges received bomb threat emails claiming that hydrogen-based improvised explosive devices had been planted on their premises. The targeted institutions included the Bangalore Institute of Technology (BIT) in VV Puram, BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE) in Basavanagudi, and Ramaiah College.
The Initial Panic
The emails arrived in the official inboxes of the colleges’ principals at 7:19 AM, leading to immediate concern among students, staff, and parents. The emails claimed that the threats were orchestrated by Pakistan’s ISI and instructed the colleges to evacuate by 5 PM. They even suggested checking under benches for hidden devices. The situation escalated quickly, prompting urgent action from the college management.
Swift Response from Authorities
Upon receiving the threat, the college management wasted no time in informing the jurisdictional police. Teams from the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and Anti-Sabotage Check (ASC) were dispatched to investigate the claims. The police, along with bomb detection teams, conducted thorough searches of the campuses, working to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
A Sigh of Relief
Fortunately, after a detailed inspection, the bomb detection teams declared the threats a hoax. No explosives were found in any of the colleges, bringing a wave of relief to students and faculty. An officer involved in the operation stated, “The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad and Anti-Sabotage Check teams checked the premises and confirmed that the threat was not real.”
The Email’s Origins
The threatening emails originated from the address s_ve_sekar@hotmail.com, sparking investigations into who was behind this scare. Police from the VV Puram, Hanumanthanagar, and Sadashivanagar stations have registered a case and are working to track down the sender of the emails.
Ongoing Investigation
While the immediate threat has been resolved, the investigation continues. Authorities are taking this incident seriously, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety in educational institutions.
This incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for vigilance and preparedness in today’s world. Although the threats turned out to be false, they can have significant consequences on the peace of mind of students and staff alike. Let’s hope that such alarming incidents remain just that—false alarms.
