Bomb threat email to Delhi Mayor’s office triggers security sweep at Red Fort

A bomb threat email sent to the Delhi Mayor's office prompted security agencies to conduct an extensive search operation at the Red Fort ahead of Independence Day celebrations. Police have launched an investigation to trace the sender, while no suspicious objects have been found

New Delhi: Ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, security agencies in Delhi sprang into action to comb the entire area around the Red Fort on Monday as an email sent to the Delhi Mayor’s office threatened multiple bomb blasts at the iconic monument on August 15, an official said.

As soon as the Mayor’s office received the bomb threat by email, it alerted the Delhi Police and other security agencies.

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Soon after receiving the alert, police personnel, bomb disposal squads, and other security teams rushed to the Red Fort and carried out an extensive sanitisation and inspection of the premises, said the official.

Delhi Police sources said that after receiving the information about the bomb threat, the security of the area was beefed up and an investigation was launched.

Sources said that investigators were trying to trace the identity and source of the email sender.

A similar bomb threat targeting the Red Fort triggered a major security response on July 11, prompting police and security agencies to conduct a comprehensive combing exercise at the monument before declaring the threat to be a hoax.

According to Delhi Police, last month’s threat originated from a phone call made to the Mumbai Police Control Room, during which the caller allegedly claimed that the Red Fort would be blown up. Mumbai Police immediately relayed the information to the Delhi Police Control Room, which alerted the North District Police to initiate security measures.

After thoroughly checking the area, police officials found no suspicious object or explosive material and confirmed that the threat was false.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15 as the nation celebrates its 80th Independence Day.

The government has asked citizens to share their ideas, inputs and policy suggestions for PM Modi’s upcoming I-Day address. The window for submission of public ideas is open through the MyGov Portal Invitation till August 12.