Dhanbad Post Office, Passport Office get bomb threat; complex evacuated
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A bomb threat targeting the Main Post Office and the Regional Passport Office in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, triggered a high alert on Wednesday, 15 July, after an anonymous email warned of explosions at the premises, officials said. Police immediately evacuated the entire complex and deployed bomb disposal and dog squads to conduct a thorough sweep.
What the Threat Email Said
According to police, the threatening email claimed that explosions would occur at the Main Post Office and Passport Office at 1.15 pm. The message also contained objectionable religious remarks and demanded the removal of members of a particular community. Security agencies are examining the language, source, and credibility of the email as part of a formal investigation.
Evacuation and Search Operation
As soon as the threat was received, teams from Dhanbad Police and other security agencies rushed to the site. All employees and visitors were safely evacuated from the Post Office and Passport Office. Authorities also cleared the adjacent BSNL office and the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) office to prevent any potential loss of life.
Senior police officials remained on-site to monitor the situation. Bomb disposal experts and dog squads carried out an intensive search of the entire complex, with surrounding areas also combed and suspicious objects examined. As of the time of reporting, no explosive material had been officially detected.
Security Tightened, Cyber Cell Roped In
Security in and around the area has been significantly tightened following the incident. Police have restricted public movement near the premises and established a security cordon. The cyber cell has been brought into the investigation to trace the origin of the threatening email, including the IP address or server from which it was sent, and to determine whether any individual, group, or organisation was behind it.
Police Appeal for Calm
Police officials stated the matter was being treated with the utmost seriousness and that all aspects of the case were under active investigation. They appealed to the public not to pay heed to rumours and to immediately alert authorities about any suspicious activity. This comes amid a broader pattern of anonymous bomb threats targeting public offices across India in recent months, many of which have turned out to be hoaxes — though each is treated as credible until proven otherwise. Security agencies continue to monitor the situation closely as the investigation progresses.