Security sweep after emailed threats targets four Chandigarh schools
CHANDIGARH: Four schools in Chandigarh received bomb threat emails on Tuesday morning, prompting a swift security response by city police, bomb detection and disposal squads and sniffer dog units. Authorities said exhaustive searches of the campuses and surrounding areas did not locate any explosive device or suspicious object.
The institutions named in the threatening communications were identified as Carmel Convent School (Sector 9-B), St John's High School (Sector 26), Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School (Sector 26) and St Stephen's School (Sector 45-B). Police and specialised teams reached the schools soon after the emails were reported and conducted methodical sweeps of classrooms, administrative blocks, playgrounds and adjacent open spaces.
"No bomb or suspicious object was found," officials said.
As a precaution, security personnel increased deployments in and around all four campuses while the searches were underway. Officers also checked adjoining streets and common areas to rule out any external threat. The city police said the actions were taken to ensure the safety of students, staff and the wider neighbourhood.
- Immediate response by local police and bomb disposal squads.
- Sniffer dog teams employed to scan interiors and perimeters.
- Precautionary security enhancement in surrounding areas during and after searches.
Police have launched a technical investigation to trace the origin of the threatening emails and to identify the person or group responsible for sending them. The probe will include digital forensics and coordination with national cyber forensics agencies as required, officials said. No arrests have been reported at the time of the briefing.
The incident briefly disrupted normal activity at the affected schools. Authorities did not provide details on whether classes were suspended or if there were changes to dismissal procedures; however, heightened security was reported during the period of searches. Parents and guardians were informed through school channels, police added.
School-targeted threats, even when hoaxes, are treated with high priority by law-enforcement agencies because of the inherent vulnerability of children and staff. Police emphasised that thorough physical inspections and the use of detection equipment are standard operating procedures for such reports, and that the absence of an explosive device does not lessen the seriousness of the offence under the law.
| School | Sector | Action taken |
|---|---|---|
| Carmel Convent School | 9-B | Full campus search; sniffer dogs deployed |
| St John's High School | 26 | Thorough sweep by bomb squad and police |
| Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School | 26 | Perimeter checks and interior inspection |
| St Stephen's School | 45-B | Complete search; surrounding areas checked |
Local residents and parents expressed concern about the threats, and police urged the public to remain calm while cooperating with security protocols. Authorities advised citizens to report any suspicious email or communication to the police cyber cell and avoid sharing panic-inducing content on social media.
Further updates are expected as the technical analysis of the emails progresses. The police statement did not specify whether similar threats were received elsewhere in the region or whether there are any immediate suspects. Investigators will follow leads from the email headers, routing information and any other digital fingerprints recovered during the probe.
Given past instances where schools have been separately targeted by hoax threats, officials reiterated that every such communication will be treated seriously and investigated, irrespective of initial indications that it may be a prank. The priority, police said, remains the safety and security of students and staff.
