NOIDA: A wave of panic gripped Noida on Friday morning after several prominent private schools received threatening emails claiming explosives had been planted on their premises. The threats, coming just days before India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations, triggered immediate emergency protocols, leading to the mass evacuation of thousands of students.
Key Developments
- Threat Source: Multiple schools received an identical threat email early Friday morning warning of bombs on campus.
- Affected Schools: Reports confirm evacuations at Shiv Nadar School (Sector 168), Cambridge School, Father Agnel School (Sector 62), Army Public School, and Bal Bharati Public School.
- Police Status: Noida Police and Bomb Disposal Squads (BDS) have conducted sweeping searches. No explosives have been found so far, and officials suspect it is a coordinated hoax.
Chaos as Parents Rush to Schools
Classes were suspended immediately upon receipt of the emails. School administrations sent urgent messages to parents via WhatsApp and SMS, asking them to pick up their wards immediately.
Visuals from outside Shiv Nadar School and Father Agnel School showed anxious parents gathering at the gates, causing traffic congestion in Sector 168 and Sector 62.
“We received a message saying the school is closing early due to unavoidable circumstances. When we reached here, we saw police vans and the bomb squad. It was terrifying,” said a parent waiting outside Cambridge School.
Police Response: “Situation Under Control”
Noida Police, along with fire tenders, dog squads, and anti-sabotage teams, rushed to the spots immediately. A senior police officer stated:
“We have sanitized the premises of the affected schools. The Bomb Disposal Squad has thoroughly checked classrooms and common areas. Prima facie, this appears to be a hoax designed to create panic ahead of Republic Day.”
Cyber Probe Launched: The Noida Police Cyber Cell has initiated a technical investigation. We are tracing the IP addresses of the sender. Preliminary investigations suggest the use of VPNs or foreign servers to mask identity, a pattern seen in similar recent hoaxes.
Wider Pattern: Ahmedabad Schools Also Targeted
This incident appears to be part of a larger coordinated cyber-threat. On the same day (Jan 23), several schools in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, also reported receiving similar bomb threat emails, suggesting a concerted effort to disrupt public order.
Republic Day High Alert
Security agencies are already on high alert across Delhi-NCR in preparation for the January 26 Republic Day parade. Intelligence agencies are analyzing the timing of these threats to rule out any deeper conspiracy.
Advisory for Parents
Authorities have urged the public to remain calm:
- Do not spread unverified rumors on social media.
- Follow official updates from Noida Police handles rather than forwarded messages.
- Parents are advised to contact the school administration only via official channels to avoid clogging emergency lines.
- Schools are expected to resume normal operations after getting a clearance certificate from the police.
FAQ
A: Shiv Nadar School (Sector 168), Cambridge School, Father Agnel School (Sector 62), Army Public School, and Bal Bharati Public School were among those targeted.
A: No. Noida Police have confirmed that no explosives were found and termed the threat a hoax.
A: Most schools are expected to resume normal operations after police clearance. Parents should check official school communications for updates.
