High alert triggered in Delhi after threat call to blow up Red Fort, later proved to be a hoax

A high-security alert was triggered in Delhi on Saturday after the officials received a threat call claiming that the Red Fort would be blown up, which was later discovered to be a hoax.

Citing officials, ANI reported that the threat call was initially received at the Mumbai Police control room. Recognising the seriousness of the threat to the historic monument, the intelligence was immediately passed on to the Delhi Police control room.

After receiving the intel, the North District Police in the national capital swung into action and launched a comprehensive security sweep and verification process. Senior officials said, "A call was received at the Mumbai Police control room threatening to blow up the Red Fort in Delhi. The information was shared by the Mumbai Police control room with the Delhi Police control room. The information was then received by North District Police in Delhi, and upon investigation, it was found to be a hoax call."

A detailed investigation is now underway to trace the origin of the call and apprehend the caller.

Hoax threat calls on the rise?

In a separate incident, another major bomb threat was reported targeting a high-security installation, which was later proved to be a hoax. On 3 July, the Bengaluru police took custody of a man from Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, who was intercepted by the Delhi Police for allegedly sending a hoax bomb threat email to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Headquarters

ISRO's headquarters received a threatening email on 2 July, warning of an imminent blast. However, after the police carried out a thorough inspection, along with the bomb disposal squads, no suspicious objects were discovered.

After carrying out technical analysis and digital tracking, a special investigation team traced the sender to Ghaziabad. Further questioning and medical assessment revealed that the accused was suffering from a mental illness. Police also seized the electronic device used to send the threat email, and the case remains under investigation under the relevant provisions.

Earlier in June, a passenger allegedly spread a false bomb alert on a train at the Aishbagh station in Lucknow after he did not get a seat, triggering panic among commuters and a security check by multiple agencies, police said. The accused was identified as Saini Jackie (26), a Telangana resident, who did so after he could not find a place to sit in the train, news agency PTI reported. Following the alert, the authorities rushed to the spot and carried out a detailed search of the train and all its coaches.

Police said, "No suspicious object or explosive material was found during the checking. The information about the bomb was found to be completely false." The train was later declared safe and allowed to continue its journey. The accused was taken into custody by the Government Railway Police (GRP), and legal proceedings were initiated against him.

In yet another incident, a fake bomb threat targeting an IndiGo flight from Lucknow to Delhi delayed its departure by nearly six hours, triggering panic among passengers and prompting heightened security measures.

(with agency inputs)