A Wave of Hoax Bomb Threats
Tirupati, a renowned pilgrimage destination in Andhra Pradesh, has recently been plagued by a series of hoax bomb threats. Over the past few days, multiple hotels in the city received bomb threat emails, all of which turned out to be false alarms. This series of threats has now escalated, targeting one of the city’s most significant religious sites, the ISKCON Temple.
Bomb Threat at ISKCON Temple
On Sunday evening, the ISKCON Temple in Tirupati received a bomb threat via email, reportedly from an individual claiming to be associated with ISIS. The email asserted that the temple would be blown up, prompting immediate action from the temple administration. They quickly contacted the authorities, leading to a swift response from the police.
Heightened Security Measures
Upon receiving the complaint, the Tirupati police dispatched bomb disposal and dog squads to the ISKCON Temple. Comprehensive inspections were conducted to ensure the safety of the temple premises and its visitors. Superintendent of Police Tirupati L Subbarayudu stated, “We reacted swiftly when we received complaints and our teams conducted thorough checks. But they (fake email threats) turned out to be fake.”
Ongoing Investigation
This incident marks the fourth hoax bomb threat in Tirupati within the last three days, contributing to growing concerns among residents and visitors. The police are actively investigating these threats, working in conjunction with the cyber-crimes wing to trace the origin of the emails and identify the individual responsible. A senior police official indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that they are committed to resolving the issue promptly.
Previous Threats and Arrests
The recent bomb threat emails mentioned Jaffer Sadiq, an alleged kingpin of a drug trafficking network who was recently arrested in Tamil Nadu by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). While the connection between these hoax threats and Sadiq remains unclear, the authorities are exploring all possible leads.
Public Reassurance
In light of these threats, the Tirupati police have assured the public that they are taking all necessary precautions to ensure safety and security. The swift response to each threat, despite them being hoaxes, underscores the commitment of the law enforcement agencies to maintain public order and protect the community.
The spate of hoax bomb threats in Tirupati has undoubtedly created a sense of unease, but the diligent efforts of the police and security forces have helped to manage the situation effectively. As investigations continue, authorities are hopeful that they will soon bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace to this holy city.
(With inputs from agencies)
