28 Schools in Ahmedabad, Vadodara Get Bomb Threat; Searches Underway

Ahmedabad/Vadodara: At least 28 schools in Ahmedabad and Vadodara in Gujarat received bomb threat emails on Monday, following which the campuses were evacuated, officials said. Authorities stated that search operations were launched immediately, adding that nothing suspicious has been found so far.

District Education Officer Rohit Chaudhary said that more than 15 schools in Ahmedabad had received bomb threat emails.

“All schools have been instructed to immediately inform nearby police stations and follow security protocol,” he told reporters.

Vadodara Police Commissioner Narasimha Komar said that as many as 13 schools in different parts of the city had received bomb threat emails.

The administrators of these schools reported the situation to the police control room. Following this, the local police said that Special Operations Group (SOG), Crime Branch and Bomb Detection and Disposal Teams (BDDS) personnel carried out a disinfection drill and evacuated the students and teachers.

Komar said, “Cleaning has been completed in nine schools and the process continues for the remaining schools. A case has been registered by the cyber crime police. A detailed investigation will be carried out to find the source of the emails and the identity of the sender and to prevent this attempt.” he said.

He added that prima facie such emails are harmful but the police will investigate them with all seriousness.

Vadodara Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Himanshu Verma said that nothing suspicious has been found so far and students from the affected schools have been sent back to their homes.

According to the police, the targeted institutions include DAV International School, Asia School, Ankur International School, Sant Kabir School and DR Amin School in Ahmedabad, Urmi School, Baroda High School and Don Bosco in Vadodara.

Similar bomb threat emails were received by many schools in Ahmedabad on January 23, which was later revealed to be a hoax.