Was the Bomb Threat at Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib a Hoax?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Panic erupted at Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib due to a bomb threat email.
- The threat was found to be a hoax.
- The police conducted extensive searches with no suspicious items discovered.
- Authorities emphasized the need for improved security measures.
- Patna Police registered an FIR and are investigating the source of the threat.
Patna, Sep 9 (NationPress) A wave of alarm swept through the Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib Gurdwara in Bihar, also known as Patna Sahib, after the management Committee received a threatening email claiming a plan to detonate explosives within the premises.
The anonymous sender alleged that four RDX explosives had been planted at different locations inside the Gurdwara, as reported by the officials.
In response, the Gurdwara authorities promptly notified the district police, leading to a comprehensive search operation.
Parichay Kumar, the SP (East) of Patna, confirmed the event, stating that the email was received on Monday, prompting the immediate search operations.
"Teams comprising dog units, bomb detection units, and forensic experts were deployed, and surveillance footage from the vicinity of the Gurdwara was thoroughly examined. After several hours of rigorous searching, no suspicious items were discovered in the Gurdwara complex," he explained.
Officials advised the Gurdwara management to stay vigilant and enhance visitor monitoring.
An FIR has been filed at Chauk Police Station based on a formal complaint from the Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee members.
The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar Police, specialized in cybercrime, has been engaged to trace the origin of the threatening email and identify the sender.
A senior police officer remarked, "While the threat has proven to be a hoax, we are addressing the situation with utmost seriousness. The cyber team is analyzing digital trails to locate the perpetrator. Additional police forces have been assigned to enhance security at the site."
Situated on Ashok Rajpath, Patna Sahib is one of the five Takhts of Sikhism and serves as a significant pilgrimage destination.
As the birthplace of the Sikhs' 10th Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, it attracts countless devotees from around the globe every year.
To accommodate this influx, the surrounding area is filled with hotels, rest houses, dharamshalas, and lodges for pilgrims.
This incident has raised security concerns not just for the shrine but also for the thousands of devotees staying in the vicinity.