Army Public School in Delhi Cantonment receives bomb threat, search underway

Representational image. File pic

The Army Public School in Delhi Cantonment received a bomb threat email on Monday, prompting security agencies to launch a search operation on the premises, a Delhi Fire Services official said.

As reported by news agency PTI, the school administration informed the authorities in the morning after receiving the mail that warned of an explosive device planted on the campus.

A senior police officer, while briefing about the incident, said, "We are verifying the source of the email. So far, nothing suspicious has been found. As a precautionary measure, a thorough search operation is underway on the school premises, which has been vacated," as cited by news agency PTI.

Furthermore, the cyber cell has been roped in to trace the origin of the email and identify the sender, the police officer further added. Teams from Delhi Police, the bomb disposal squad, the dog squad and the fire department are on the spot.

Red Fort and religious sites on alert after LeT issues threat

Earlier on Saturday, February 21, security was tightened across key religious and heritage sites in Delhi, including areas around the Red Fort and parts of Chandni Chowk.

The action by the Delhi Police was taken after intelligence inputs suggesting a possible terror threat.

As reported by PTI, security agencies issued an alert on a possible explosion threat near the Red Fort, a major tourist destination and high-security zone.

During the early hours of Saturday, central intelligence agencies indicated that Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has allegedly kept prominent religious places in India on its target list.

Intelligence inputs are still being verified

Sources from PTI said that specific inputs suggested that a temple in the Chandni Chowk area could be among the potential targets. While the intelligence inputs are being verified and assessed, security has been stepped up in and around sensitive religious places and crowded public areas, they added.

"Intelligence agencies indicated that LeT could be attempting to carry out an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-based attack. The alleged plan is reportedly linked to attempts by the terror group to avenge the February 6 blast at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan," sources from PTI said. While central agencies and Delhi Police units are maintaining close coordination, surveillance has been intensified through CCTV monitoring.

Furthermore, in view of tightening the security measures across the national capital, vehicle checks and deployment of additional personnel at vulnerable points are also being carried out precisely.

(With PTI inputs)