In a disturbing series of events, several schools and the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru recently received bomb threat emails, which were later confirmed to be hoaxes after thorough investigations. The first of these threats surfaced on June 13, when the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is responsible for security at KIA, received an alarming email from the address chitrakalas_gopalan@outlook.com. The sender, claiming to represent a group called “Madras Tigers,” threatened imminent explosions involving “Human IEDs” near the aircraft fuselage and airport prayer rooms. The message demanded immediate evacuation of the airport premises, alleging that explosive projectiles and pipe bombs had already been planted.

Following the receipt of the email, a detailed and swift response was launched by security forces, including bomb detection squads, to search the entire airport. Despite the high-alert operations and meticulous searches, no explosives were found. Consequently, authorities determined that the threat was a hoax. An official First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) police station to begin formal investigation proceedings.

A similar pattern of hoax bomb threats was observed again just days later, when multiple schools across Bengaluru received similar threatening emails. The affected schools were located within the jurisdictions of Kumbalgod, RR Nagar, and Kalasipalya police stations. Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh confirmed that these threats were also hoaxes after the police conducted thorough investigations and found no evidence of explosives.

Police sources believe that the recent string of bomb threats is part of a wider coordinated hoax campaign. The pattern of these emails closely resembles earlier incidents reported in other parts of Karnataka, including the districts of Hassan and Udupi, and even in other states across India. Authorities suspect that these threats may have originated from the same source or a coordinated group. Accordingly, FIRs will be filed for each incident and investigations will be undertaken to track the source of these emails and identify the individuals or entities behind them.

Adding context to the broader trend, Karnataka has seen a surge in fake bomb threats over the last few years. Between 2022 and 2024 alone, the state reported a total of 169 such threats—either in the form of emails or phone calls—with Bengaluru city accounting for the majority of them (133 incidents). The gravity of the situation has prompted law enforcement agencies to take stringent actions. So far, police have arrested 10 individuals in connection with such fake threats, and chargesheets have been filed in three of those cases.

In a notable related incident, a postgraduate medical student from Mangaluru was recently arrested for sending a fake bomb threat email. The motive behind this act was to evade a scheduled seminar presentation. Such cases underline the misuse of technology to create panic, disrupt public order, and divert crucial security resources.

Authorities have reiterated that any form of bomb threat, even if fake, is treated with utmost seriousness, and strict legal action will be taken against anyone found responsible.