Panic in Himachal capital Shimla as 3 prestigious schools get bomb threats

Several earlier mails targeting state institutions, offices turned out to be hoax

TNR News Network
Shimla:
Panic gripped the Himachal Pradesh capital Shimla on Wednesday (July 23, 2025) after three prominent schools received bomb threats via email, prompting immediate evacuations and a large-scale search operation by bomb disposal squads.

According to police sources, the schools — located in Sanjauli, Cart Road and Dhalli area — received the threatening emails early in the day. Following the alert, school authorities informed police and bomb disposal units, along with dog squads, were rushed to the spots.

At the school in Dhalli, students of lower classes were moved to a staircase near the school terrace, while senior students were assembled on the road outside the campus. A thorough search of the premises was conducted, but no suspicious items or explosives were found.

The children were visibly anxious and many parents rushed to the school after hearing the news. After extensive checks, students were allowed to return to their classrooms around 11.45 am and normalcy was gradually restored.

Similar threats were reported at two other elite institutions in the city. Police swiftly cordoned off the areas and conducted searches, but nothing suspicious turned up at those sites either.

This is not the first time such threats have been issued. In recent months, threatening emails have targeted the Himachal Pradesh High Court (three times), the Chief Secretary’s office (twice) and DC offices in eight districts. In each case, no actual explosives were found, raising concerns about a possible pattern of hoax threats intended to spread fear.

Police are now investigating the source of the emails and the intent behind them. However, officials have remained tight-lipped and declined to comment further on the investigation at this stage. The authorities are urging calm and assuring the public that all necessary security protocols are in place. Meanwhile, cybersecurity experts may also be roped in to trace the origin of the threatening messages.