In a troubling series of events, three major malls and a hospital in South Delhi were targeted with a bomb threat sent via email on Monday, August 21. The email, originating from an unidentified sender, ominously claimed that explosive devices had been placed at each location and would detonate within a few hours. This threat prompted a comprehensive response from emergency services, including the evacuation of all occupants and extensive search operations conducted by Delhi Police and fire department teams.
The specific sites affected by the threat included Chanakya Mall in Chanakyapuri, Select Citywalk in Saket, Ambience Mall in Vasant Kunj, and Primus Hospital in Chanakyapuri. Authorities acted swiftly, with police and bomb disposal units meticulously examining the premises. Fortunately, despite the gravity of the threat, no explosives were discovered during the search, and the incident was ultimately confirmed to be a hoax.
The email threats come on the heels of a similar hoax incident at Ambience Mall in Gurugram on August 17. In that case, the mall management received a chilling message claiming that bombs had been planted to cause mass casualties. The mall was promptly evacuated, and a detailed search was conducted, but no bombs were found. The authorities were able to confirm that this threat was also a false alarm.
On the same day as the Gurugram incident, there was another scare at DLF Mall of India in Noida, where the building was evacuated amid fears of a bomb threat. However, it was later revealed that the evacuation was part of a routine mock drill designed to test the mall's emergency response protocols and ensure readiness for potential real-life scenarios.
Earlier in the month, on August 2, a school in Greater Kailash was similarly targeted with a bomb threat via email. The sender of that message warned that the school building would be blown up, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement. Despite the urgency of the situation, the search concluded without the discovery of any explosive devices.
These incidents have led to a heightened sense of alert and concern across the National Capital Region. The repeated hoax threats have not only disrupted daily life but also strained emergency services. Authorities are now intensifying their efforts to trace the origins of these threats and to prevent future occurrences. They are also reviewing and strengthening security measures to protect public spaces from both real and false threats.Â
The misuse of bomb threats to incite panic and disorder highlights the need for vigilance and robust response strategies to address and mitigate the impact of such disruptions.
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