NEW DELHI: The office of Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh received a bomb threat via e-mail on Wednesday, which was later declared a hoax after nothing suspicious was found, an official said.
According to a senior police officer, the e-mail was purportedly sent in the name of a group identifying itself as “Khalistan National Army”. Security agencies were immediately alerted, following which security around the mayor’s office was tightened and thorough checks were conducted, he said.
The threat was sent to the mayor’s official e-mail ID, claiming that the office would be blown up around 2.11 pm.
Police said that cyber teams are analysing the origin of the e-mail, and efforts are on to trace the sender.
“In reference to the e-mail received regarding an alleged threat to blow up the Mayor of Delhi with a bomb, it is submitted that immediate verification and necessary action were undertaken,” Delhi Police said in a statement.
Staff from Kamla Market police station, along with the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and Dog Squad, conducted a thorough and systematic check of the Civic Centre premises, the statement said.
It added that the inspection covered parking areas, the basement, the Mayor’s office, and other offices within the Civic Centre.
During the check, no suspicious object or activity was found in the Civic Centre.
Further, the security staff deployed at the Civic Centre have been briefed and issued strict directions to maintain heightened vigilance.
They have been instructed to regularly monitor and check the premises, allow entry only after proper verification, effectively utilise CCTV cameras for surveillance, and immediately inform the local police in case of any suspicious activity, the statement said. All necessary preventive measures are in place, and the situation
remains under control.
The Aam Aadmi Party alleged a “serious security crisis” in the capital, with councillor Ankush Narang claiming even the mayor was unsafe and law and order had “collapsed” under BJP rule. Cyber teams are tracing
the sender.