Chandigarh: Seven Banks Receive Bomb Threats in Latest Hoax Alert

A series of alarming emails sent on Thursday triggered security alerts across Chandigarh, targeting seven bank branches, the mayor’s office, the court complex, and the Mohali airport. As residents often search for information on Chandigarh, these incidents have caused significant concern across the region. Local authorities responded by deploying police teams alongside bomb disposal and dog squads to conduct thorough inspections of all named sites. Despite the widespread nature of the threats, no explosives or suspicious items were discovered during the operations.

Security concerns in Chandigarh

The emails, which have been a recurring issue throughout the year, contained references to various organizations and individuals, including the Babbar Khalsa (Parmar-Canada) and the Khalistan National Army. The messages also mentioned the 1984 riots, the residence of actor Amitabh Bachchan in Mumbai, and threatened an IED explosion during a concert by Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh at Mullanpur stadium on December 12. Police officials have stated that these references do not confirm the involvement of any specific group. Investigations are currently underway to trace the origin of the messages and identify the sender.

Authorities confirmed that all recent bomb threats targeting banks and public locations were determined to be hoaxes.

The affected financial institutions include Indian Bank, Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Central Bank of India, Union Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank, and Punjab National Bank. While these specific threats were declared hoaxes, security agencies maintain that they must adhere to standard operating procedures for every alert. This involves scanning premises regardless of the perceived credibility of the threat to ensure public safety. Since the start of the year, similar hoax emails have targeted a wide range of facilities in the tricity area, including hospitals, schools, and administrative buildings.

Why it matters

These repeated hoax threats disrupt the operations of essential services and public institutions, causing unnecessary distress to the public and straining police resources. While no physical harm has occurred, the ongoing nature of these incidents forces security agencies to maintain a constant state of high alert to protect citizens and critical infrastructure across the region.