Naresh Kumar/Barbala
A sense of panic spread in Barnala after six private schools received bomb threat emails on Wednesday, prompting an immediate security response.
According to officials, the threatening emails warned that bombs had been planted in the school premises. The emails were sent at different times, targeting some well-known institutions in the city, including Tandon International School, Aryabhatta School, Sacred Heart School, and others.
As soon as the information was received, school authorities alerted the police and district administration. Acting quickly, officials evacuated all students and staff from the buildings to ensure their safety. Children were moved to open areas and kept under supervision.
Soon after, police teams, bomb disposal squads, and dog squads reached the schools and carried out thorough searches of classrooms, playgrounds, and surrounding areas.
After hours of checking, officials confirmed that no explosives or suspicious items were found during search operation. Initial investigation suggests that the emails were likely a hoax (false threat).
Senior officials said the situation is completely under control, and there is no need for panic. Meanwhile, cyber teams have started tracing the source of the emails to identify those responsible.
This incident is part of a growing trend of hoax bomb threats targeting schools in different parts of India, which disrupt normal activities but often turn out to be false alarms.