Centre Calls for Better SOP, Proper Monitoring of Emails to Cope with Hoax Bomb Threats

Following hoax bomb threats targeting several schools in Delhi-NCR, the Union home ministry emphasized the importance of devising a detailed protocol and standard operating procedures (SOP) to handle such situations. The home secretary urged close coordination between the Delhi Police and schools to prevent unnecessary panic stemming from misinformation.

Additionally, the ministry stressed the necessity of bolstering security measures, including the installation of CCTV cameras and regular monitoring of emails in schools. The meeting, attended by the chief secretary and Delhi Police commissioner, underscored the imperative for an effective response mechanism to counter misinformation-induced panic.

Earlier in the week, over 200 schools in Delhi-NCR faced identical bomb threat emails, leading to widespread evacuations and searches. Despite extensive efforts by authorities, including the deployment of PCR vehicles and coordination with various agencies, the threats were ultimately deemed a mass hoax.

Investigations revealed that the emails were sent using a virtual private network (VPN) with data rerouted through foreign servers, including one operated by a Russian company.

On a related note, 16 schools in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, also received hoax bomb threat emails, with initial findings indicating a possible link to Russia, mirroring the modus operandi observed in the Delhi incidents.