Bomb threats in Indian schools have escalated in recent years. These threats are typically communicated via emails, phone calls, or social media messages, often leading to mass evacuations and a heavy police presence at the affected institutions. One of the earliest notable cases occurred in 2018, when several schools in Delhi received bomb threats via email. This incident set a precedent, leading to a spate of similar threats in subsequent years. The origin of these threats has varied; while some were traced back to disgruntled individuals or pranksters, others were linked to more serious cyber activities.
In many instances, the perpetrators have been found to employ sophisticated methods to mask their identities, making it challenging for law enforcement agencies to trace and apprehend them. However, in some cases, the culprits have been identified and arrested. For example, in 2022, a minor from Tamil Nadu was found responsible for sending bomb threat emails to several Bengaluru schools. He had created a programme to conceal IP addresses, opening wide the opportunity of sending these emails at a mass level. Here is a retrospective on some notable incidents of hoax school bomb threats in recent years that, though ultimately unfounded, created significant upheaval for both police and school authorities.
2024
Delhi has been a recurrent target of bomb threats. In 2024, over 80 schools received bomb threat emails on a single day, leading to widespread panic. Schools like DAV Public School in Model Town and Delhi Public School in Dwarka were among those targeted. These threats led to extensive searches by bomb disposal squads and heightened security measures across the city. Additionally, schools like Mother Mary’s School in Mayur Vihar and Amity School in Saket were also affected. Despite thorough searches by the Delhi Police, these threats were declared hoaxes.
In a similar vein, Ahmedabad faced a series of bomb threat emails ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. At least 7-8 schools, including Asia School in Gurukul and Anand Niketan in Thaltej, were targeted. The deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Cyber Crime, Lavina Sinha, noted that these threats mirrored the pattern observed in the Delhi cases and were likely of Russian origin. Other schools that received threats included Delhi Public School (DPS) Bopal, HBK School in Memnagar, and Cosmos Castle International School on SG Road. Also, 50 schools in Jaipur and 10 in Kanpur were affected by bomb threats in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections.
Shifting our glance towards the eastern part of the country will lead us straight to April 8, when over 20 schools in Kolkata were targeted with bomb threats. The emails claimed that bombs had been planted in classrooms and were set to detonate in the morning, listing two individuals, Ching and Doll, as alleged militants. This incident led to immediate evacuations and thorough investigations, which eventually confirmed the threats to be false alarms.
Tamil Nadu has also seen its share of bomb threats. In March 2024, two schools, the PSBB Millennium School in Coimbatore and a private school in Kancheepuram district, received threats through emails and calls. Police and bomb squad personnel conducted thorough investigations at the PSBB Millennium School but found no explosives. This incident followed a series of threats in February 2024, when 13 private schools in Chennai received hoax bomb threats. The police noted the difficulty in tracking the culprit due to the end-to-end encryption of the email service used.
2023
In 2023 as well, several schools across India faced alarming bomb threats, underscoring the necessity for continuous vigilance. Chennai schools were notably targeted, with two institutions receiving bomb threats that prompted immediate evacuations and police investigations. Although these threats were eventually deemed hoaxes, they highlighted the ongoing risk that educational institutions face.
The situation escalated in December 2023 when nearly 50 schools in Bengaluru were hit by a wave of threats. These incidents led to significant disruptions and evacuations, compelling the police to deploy bomb detection and disposal squads to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Earlier that year, on January 11, 2023, Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Bombay received a bomb threat call at around 4:30 pm. The Mumbai Police identified the caller and booked the individual under Sections 505 (1) (B) and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.
2021 and 2022
In Hyderabad, several schools, including Hyderabad Public School and Chirec International School, were targeted by bomb threats throughout 2021 and 2022. These incidents typically resulted in mass evacuations and thorough searches conducted by police and bomb disposal units.
The trend was observed in Bengaluru too, with 16 schools receiving hoax bomb threat emails in April. Prominent institutions like Delhi Public School in Varthur and Ebenezer International School in Electronic City were among those affected. Despite comprehensive investigations, the primary source was traced to a minor in Tamil Nadu, but the broader network of culprits remained unidentified.
In September 2022, Bombay Scottish School was also targeted, receiving a bomb threat via email. This led to the evacuation of the school and an extensive search operation, which later revealed the threat to be a hoax. The police identified the source of the email as a teenager from a different city, who had made the threat as a prank.
The wave of threats did not spare Delhi either. In October 2022, prominent schools such as The Mother’s International School and Ryan International School in Vasant Kunj received bomb threats. Specific details about the origin of these threats and the individuals involved were not disclosed publicly due to ongoing investigations and security concerns.
2020
Delhi Schools like DPS RK Puram and Springdales School, Pusa Road, received bomb threats in January 2020. The origin of these threats and specific details about culprits were not publicly disclosed. In the same year, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru schools also reeled under bomb threats in February, March and September respectively, prompting panic, police investigation and school evacuation.
2019
In November 2019, the Cathedral and John Connon School, Bombay, received a bomb threat. was later found to be a hoax. The police traced the call to a former student who had made the threat out of frustration with the school. In August 2019, Modern School, Delhi, and Sardar Patel Vidyalaya in Delhi received bomb threats via email. These threats prompted immediate evacuations and thorough police investigations. However, the culprits behind these threats were not publicly identified.
False bomb alerts in schools and India’s cyber security challenges
FILE PHOTO: Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of the words “Cyber Security” in this illustration taken, February 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
The increase in bomb threats targeting Indian schools over the last couple of years underscores the evolving nature of cyber security threats in our country in the digital age. While most of these threats have been hoaxes, they cause substantial disruptions and pose serious challenges for law enforcement and school authorities. That is why, the rise of cyber crime has become a pressing concern for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and the public. Despite significant efforts to combat this modern menace, numerous challenges persist, making it difficult to curb the growing threat of cyber crime effectively.
Inadequate Legal Framework: One of the primary challenges in tackling cyber crime in India is the inadequacy of the legal framework. Although the Information Technology Act of 2000 (IT Act) provides the foundation for addressing cyber crimes, it has not evolved sufficiently to keep pace with the rapidly changing digital landscape. The act lacks specific provisions to address new and emerging forms of cyber crime.
Lack of Skilled Workforce: Our country, sadly though, faces a significant shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals. With the growing sophistication of cyber attacks, there is an urgent need for experts who can anticipate, identify, and mitigate these threats. However, the current pool of cybersecurity talent is inadequate to meet the demands of both the private and public sectors. This shortage is exacerbated by a lack of comprehensive cybersecurity training and education programmes.
Insufficient Public Awareness: Public awareness about cyber threats and safe online practices remains low in India, even in the era of digitisation. Yes, that’s a sorry truth indeed. Nevertheless, this ignorance increases vulnerability to cyber attacks. Enhancing public awareness through education campaigns and training programmes, especially for schools, is essential to build a resilient digital ecosystem.
Jurisdictional Challenges: Cyber crimes often transcend national borders, complicating the enforcement of laws and the prosecution of offenders. The global nature of the internet means that cyber criminals can operate from anywhere in the world, making it difficult for Indian law enforcement agencies to apprehend and prosecute them. International cooperation and coordination are crucial to address cross-border cyber crimes effectively. However, differences in legal frameworks, lack of mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs), and bureaucratic hurdles often impede swift international collaboration.
Rapid Technological Advancements: The pace of technological advancements outstrips the ability of regulatory and enforcement agencies to keep up. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) introduce new vulnerabilities and attack vectors that cyber criminals can exploit. The dynamic nature of the cyber threat landscape necessitates continuous adaptation and innovation in cybersecurity practices, which is often challenging for resource-constrained agencies.
Limited Resources and Infrastructure:Unfortunately, law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity institutions in India face resource constraints and lack advanced infrastructure. This limitation affects their ability to conduct thorough investigations and implement proactive measures. Investing in state-of-the-art technology, expanding cybersecurity infrastructure, and allocating adequate resources are essential to enhance the capacity of these agencies to tackle cyber crime effectively.
Addressing the challenge
In order to bring down the possibility of receiving hoax bomb emails, schools require a comprehensive strategy that encompasses technological, educational, and legal measures. In fact, they need to invest in advanced email filtering and cybersecurity systems to detect and block suspicious emails before they reach their intended recipients. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and regular updates of software as well as security protocols can further safeguard against cyber intrusions. Alongside technological defenses, it is very important to educate students, teachers, and administrative staff about the dangers and consequences of hoax bomb threats. Well, this education should essentially include lessons on digital literacy, responsible internet usage, and the severe legal ramifications of making false threats, emphasizing that such actions are not pranks but serious crimes.
Additionally, collaboration with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts can enhance the ability to trace the origin of threats not only quickly, but also accurately. There is an urgent need for schools to establish clear protocols for reporting and responding to suspicious emails, including immediate notification of authorities and coordination with local police. All these will go a long way in ensuring a swift investigation and response.
Legal measures play an equally important role in taming down these crimes. Strengthening the legal framework to impose stringent penalties on those found guilty of issuing hoax bomb threats will serve as an effective deterrent for sure. Publicizing the prosecution of offenders can also reinforce the message that such actions will not be tolerated and will be met with severe consequences. By combining technological safeguards, education, and legal deterrence, schools can probably be successful in reducing the disturbing incidences of these disruptive false alarms.
