New Delhi, February 23 Security has been tightened at all metro stations and prominent locations across Delhi following a series of bomb threats received via email, an official said on Monday.
Multiple institutions, including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, Red Fort, and two schools, received bomb threat emails earlier in the day, which were later declared hoaxes following extensive searches by security agencies.
"Our cyber teams are trying to trace the IP addresses used by some individuals to issue these threats. These criminals are using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to send emails and mislead the police investigation. However, our experts will identify the culprits," a senior police officer said.
The officer further stated that after receiving the bomb threats, the police had increased security measures at all important installations, including Delhi Metro stations.
The emails stated, "Delhi will become Khalistan" and warned of blasts at the Delhi Army School, Red Fort, and metro stations within the next three days. The messages claimed that explosions would take place at the Army school at 1:11 pm, the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) at 3:11 pm, and the Red Fort at 9:11 am today, officials said.
Following the threat specifically mentioning metro services, the Delhi Police increased security deployment across all stations of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation network.
"A high alert has been sounded across the city. Additional forces have been deployed at all metro stations and vital installations. Anti-sabotage checks and random frisking are also being carried out," the police officer said.
Teams of the bomb disposal squad and the dog squad have been deployed at sensitive locations, including the Red Fort, the Delhi Secretariat, and the Assembly complex, he said.
Another senior officer said that coordination meetings were held with officials of the Delhi Metro and other agencies to review security preparedness.
"We have asked our counterparts in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to step up security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions as well. Surveillance has been enhanced and CCTV monitoring intensified," he said.
The officer added that cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails and identify those responsible.
Police maintained that thorough searches were conducted at the threatened locations and nothing suspicious was found. However, security arrangements will remain tightened as a precautionary measure, the officer added.