Panic after hoax bomb emails target college, RTO offices across Karnataka
Bengaluru ; A wave of panic swept across parts of Karnataka on Friday after a series of threatening emails warned of explosions at a medical college and several Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in Bengaluru and Kolar, prompting an immediate security response.
The alerts primarily focused on a private medical institution located near Nelamangala, reportedly linked to Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara. The anonymous message claimed that explosive devices had been planted on the campus and would go off in the afternoon, triggering concern among authorities.
Acting swiftly, personnel from Nelamangala Rural Police Station, along with bomb disposal squads and dog squads, rushed to the campus. As a precautionary measure, students and staff were moved out of key buildings while a thorough search operation was carried out across the premises.
Simultaneously, similar emails were received by multiple RTO offices across Bengaluru, including busy centres at Yeshwanthpur, Rajajinagar and Koramangala. The messages warned of multiple blasts, creating anxiety among employees and members of the public who visit these offices daily.
L Deepak, a regional transport official, approached HSR Layout Police Station with a formal complaint, seeking urgent intervention. Officials pointed out that hundreds of people visit RTO offices every day, making such threats a serious concern.
Authorities in Kolar district also reported receiving a similar threat email targeting the local RTO office, suggesting a coordinated attempt to spread fear across different regions. Police teams, along with bomb detection units, conducted detailed inspections at all the identified locations.
Despite the масштабные searches, no explosives or suspicious materials were found at any of the sites. Preliminary findings indicate that the emails may have been part of a hoax, but investigators are continuing their probe without ruling out any angle.
Cybercrime units have been roped in to trace the origin of the emails and identify those responsible. Officials said efforts are underway to track digital footprints and establish whether the threats were sent from within the state or from outside.
The incident comes against the backdrop of a rise in hoax bomb threats reported in Karnataka in recent weeks, raising concerns over public safety and misuse of digital platforms to create panic.
Police have urged citizens to remain calm and not to believe unverified information. They have also appealed to the public to immediately report any suspicious activity, assuring that robust security measures are in place to handle such situations.
