“To create fear during elections”: Ahmedabad Police on school bomb threats case

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], May 11 (ANI): A day after uncovering a Pakistani link to the bomb threats that targeted at least 36 schools in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, police said that the intention behind could be to “create fear” during the Lok Sabha elections.

Ahmedabad Crime Branch JCP Sharad Singhal told ANI, “On May 6, 36 schools in Ahmedabad received bomb threat emails… After immediate inspection, it was revealed that the intention was to spread fear… An FIR was registered with the cyber crime branch… The mail was sent through a Russian domain. Further investigation revealed that the mail was sent from the army cantonment area of Pakistan’s Faisalabad.”

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases in a six-week marathon running from April 19- June 1.

“Many of these schools were polling booths. The intention can be to create fear during the elections…,” JCP Singhal added.

The bomb threats in schools were received on May 6, just a day before the Prime Minister’s visit for polling in the state.

“The accused is known for making anti-India comments on different social media platforms. He also posts videos. He has multiple names. Besides Tauheed Laiqat, he is also known by the name of Hammad Javed,” he said.

The Ahmedabad Police jumped into action on receiving the emails and started an investigation. The police did not find any suspect or explosives at any of the schools, they said earlier in the month.

Earlier this month, a total of 131 schools in Delhi received threat emails on May 1.

However, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an official statement calling the email a “hoax.”

“There is no need to panic. The mail appears to be a hoax. Delhi Police and security agencies are taking necessary steps as per protocol,” the official release from the MHA read.