GavinEspinoza2 at 16:27, 19 April 2026

2026-04-19T16:27:55Z

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{{Short description|Series of bomb hoaxes in India in 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2024}}

{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = 2024 Indian bomb hoaxes
| location = Various establishments across India (primarily institutions, airports, aircraft, and hospitals)
| target = Students, commuters, patients, staff, political leaders, among others
| date = April–May 2024
| timezone =
| type = [[Hoax]]<br>[[Bomb threat]]
| perpetrators = Various, unknown
| fatalities = None
| injuries = None
| motive = Unknown
}}

Beginning in late April 2024, a series of hoax bomb threats—communicated via emails and phone calls—were reported across multiple locations in India. Targets included schools, colleges, hotels, hospitals, airports, and aircraft. The majority of threats were directed at institutions in [[Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-23 |title=Three Bengaluru hotels receive hoax bomb threat emails |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/three-bengaluru-hotels-receive-hoax-bomb-threat-emails-again/article68206862.ece |access-date=2024-05-24 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Indo-Asian News |date=2024-05-23 |title=Some Delhi colleges receive hoax bomb threats |url=https://www.siasat.com/some-delhi-colleges-receive-hoax-bomb-threats-3031443/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=The Siasat Daily |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-28 |title=Bomb threats in India: Alarming rise in May 2024; all you need to know |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/bomb-threats-in-india-alarming-rise-in-may-2024-indigo-flight-bomb-threat-bomb-threat-today-delhi-bomb-11716869460556.html |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Mint |language=en}}</ref>

== Threats ==
{{Location map many|India|width=250
| label1 = 2| coordinates1 = {{coord|22.57|88.35}} 
| label2 = 50+| coordinates2 = {{coord|26.82|75.80}} | position2 = left 
| label3 = 5| coordinates3 = {{coord|19.09|72.86}} | position3 = top 
| label4 = 1| coordinates4 = {{coord|23.29|77.33}} | position4 = left 
| label5 = 1| coordinates5 = {{coord|15.38|73.83}} | position5 = bottom 
| label6 = 7| coordinates6 = {{coord|26.44|80.33}} 
| label7 = 8| coordinates7 = {{coord|12.84|77.66}} | position7 = left 
| label8 = 200+| coordinates8 = {{coord|28.55|77.08}} | position8 = top 
| label9 = 1| coordinates9 = {{coord|17.40|78.47}} | position9 = left 
| label10 = 41| coordinates10 = {{coord|23.01|72.57}} | position10 = left 
| caption = Map of India showing the number of bomb threats received
}}

During late April 2024, a wave of bomb threats targeted multiple airports and facilities across India. [[Kolkata Airport|Kolkata]] and [[Jaipur Airport|Jaipur]] airports received emails claiming that bombs had been planted on their premises. In addition, airports in [[Mumbai]], [[Bhopal]], [[Goa]] (Dabolim), and Kolkata also received hoax bomb threat calls.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-04-30 |title=After Mumbai, Bhopal, Goa, Nagpur, Kolkata and Jaipur airports, Delhi's Chacha Nehru Hospital receives bomb threat via email |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/after-mumbai-bhopal-goa-nagpur-kolkata-and-jaipur-airports-delhis-chacha-nehru-hospital-receives-bomb-threat-via-email/articleshow/109721978.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-06-08 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref>

The following day, more than 30 airports under the jurisdiction of the [[Airports Authority of India|Airports Authority of India (AAI)]] and other agencies received bomb threats via email. The threats were reportedly sent to over 90 email addresses belonging to airports and security organizations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=A |first=Naina J. |title=Hoax bomb threat email to Mangaluru International Airport |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/hoax-bomb-threat-email-to-mangaluru-international-airport-3007757 |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=Deccan Herald}}</ref>

On 1 May, over 200 schools in the [[National Capital Region (India)|Delhi-NCR]] received identical bomb threat emails around 04:00, prompting mass evacuations and panic among parents. After thorough searches, the threats were deemed hoaxes. An initial investigation by the [[Delhi Police]] Special Cell's Counter-Intelligence Unit (CIU) traced the source to a Russian IP address linked to the email ID 'sawariim@mail.ru'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-01 |title=Panic in Delhi as over 150 schools get bomb threat emails |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/schools-receive-bomb-threat-9300278/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-02 |title=Links to China, ISI: When bomb hoax at 200 schools in Delhi-NCR led to panic |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/bomb-hoax-at-200-delhi-ncr-schools-leads-to-panic-keeps-cops-on-toes/articleshow/109765007.cms |access-date=2024-05-31 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>

Schools targeted included [[Sanskriti School]] in [[Chanakyapuri]], Mother Mary School in [[Mayur Vihar]], and [[Delhi Public School Society|Delhi Public School]] branches in [[Dwarka, Delhi|Dwarka]] and [[Noida]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-01 |title=Delhi-NCR schools get bomb threat: Here is what we know so far |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/delhi-ncr-schools-get-bomb-threat-here-is-what-we-know-so-far-dps-dwarka-dps-noida-amity-school-mother-mary-school-sanskriti-school/articleshow/109745635.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-06-23 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref>

On 6 May, 41 schools in [[Ahmedabad]], Gujarat, received similar bomb threat emails. On 12 May, Delhi hospitals, including [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]], and the Northern Railways’ office were targeted with alarming emails from a Cyprus-based service, beeble.com.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-13 |title=Bomb hoax mailed to 55 schools on anniversary of Jaipur serial blasts |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bomb-hoax-mailed-to-55-schools-on-anniversary-of-jaipur-serial-blasts/article68171685.ece |access-date=2024-05-24 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>

In mid-May, private hospitals in [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]] also received hoax threat emails.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-13 |title=Bengaluru hospitals receive bomb threat, police declare it as hoax later |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news/bengaluru-hospitals-receive-bomb-threat-police-declare-it-as-hoax-later-101715577767883.html |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> On 14 May, the 16th anniversary of the [[Jaipur bombings|2008 Jaipur bombings]], over 55 schools in Jaipur were targeted with similar emails.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2024-05-13 |title=Bomb hoax mailed to 55 schools on anniversary of Jaipur serial blasts |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bomb-hoax-mailed-to-55-schools-on-anniversary-of-jaipur-serial-blasts/article68171685.ece |access-date=2024-05-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

That same day, hospitals and [[Tihar Jail]] in Delhi also received threats from the same Cyprus-based service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-23 |title=Bomb threat calls at Delhi's Lady Shri Ram, Venkateswara College |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/bomb-threat-calls-at-delhis-lady-shri-ram-venkateswara-college-101716466960055.html |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

On 15 May, a bomb threat note was found in the washroom of a Delhi–[[Vadodara]] [[Air India]] flight, sparking panic before being deemed a hoax.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-16 |title=Fake 'bomb' note sparks panic onboard Delhi-Vadodara flight |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/fake-bomb-note-sparks-panic-onboard-delhi-vadodara-flight/articleshow/110167036.cms |access-date=2024-06-08 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>

By late May, threats extended to commercial and government sites. On 19 May, [[Mumbai Police]] received a threat call about a bomb at a McDonald’s outlet in [[Dadar]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-19 |title=Ahead Of LS Polls, Mumbai Police Receives Threat Call For Bomb Blast At McDonald's Dadar |url=https://www.news18.com/india/mumbai-bomb-threat-ahead-of-lok-sabha-polls-police-receives-threat-call-mcdonalds-dadar-8896432.html |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=News18}}</ref> On 22 May, the [[North Block]], housing the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)]], received a hoax bomb threat email from an anonymous Gmail ID using a suspected [[VPN]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=North Block receives bomb threat email turns out to be hoax |url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2024/05/23/del68-dl-bomb-threat-2ndld-north-block.html |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=The Week}}</ref>

On 23 May, three hotels in Bengaluru, including the Oterra Hotel in [[Electronic City]], received bomb threats via email. The sender, identifying himself as "daudee jiwal", claimed to be the son of a senior [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] officer and alleged a conspiracy involving the [[Inter-Services Intelligence|ISI]] and a political family from [[Tamil Nadu]]. He warned that some members of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) were under his father’s supervision and advised evacuations by 14:30.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-23 |title=Three hotels in Bengaluru receive bomb threat emails, bomb squad dispatched |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/three-hotels-in-bengaluru-receive-bomb-threat-emails-bomb-squad... |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

=== October 2024 ===
In early October 2024, at least 30 Indian flights received bomb threats.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Air India, IndiGo: How bomb hoaxes are giving a bad name to India airlines |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2kz84kgj0o |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> During the last two weeks of the month, the aviation sector reported at least 500 hoax bomb threats. As of 14 November, a total of 999 fake threats had been recorded for the year—ten times more than the previous year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian airlines hit by nearly 1,000 hoax bomb threats in 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c05z3v0jp49o |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=BBC News}}</ref>

Notable incidents included:

* An [[Air India]] flight traveling from Mumbai to New York was diverted to New Delhi after a note was discovered in the lavatory reading: "BOMB THIS FLIGHT." All passengers and crew were safely disembarked following standard operating procedures.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 October 2024 |title=Bomb alert Air India flight: Mumbai to New York flight receives bomb threat |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/air-india-mumbai-to-new-york-flight-receives-bomb-threat-11728875354756.html |work=Livemint}}</ref>
* An [[Air India Express]] flight en route to Singapore was escorted by two [[Republic of Singapore Air Force]] fighter jets after an email claimed a bomb was on board.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Air India, IndiGo: Hoax bomb threats spark panic for Indian airlines |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c30l4gp6z6mo |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* An [[IndiGo]] flight bound for Lucknow from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, was diverted to Jaipur following a bomb threat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ANI |title=IndiGo flight from Saudi diverted after receiving bomb threat |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/aviation/indigo-flight-from-saudi-diverted-after-receiving-bomb-threat |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en}}</ref>
* A Delhi–Chicago Air India flight was diverted to Iqaluit, Canada, due to a security threat posted online.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bomb threat forces Air India flight into emergency landing at Iqaluit airport {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10812214/air-india-flight-diverted-to-canada-bomb-threat/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Two IndiGo flights departing from Mumbai—one to Muscat and the other to Jeddah—were moved to an isolated bay after receiving bomb threats.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ANI |title=IndiGo flights from Mumbai to Jeddah, Muscat receive bomb threats |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/asia/indigo-flights-to-jeddah-muscat-receive-bomb-threats-taken-to-isolated-bay |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en}}</ref>
* An [[Akasa Air]] flight bound for Bengaluru was redirected to Delhi due to a bomb threat.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Air India, IndiGo: Hoax bomb threats spark panic for Indian airlines |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c30l4gp6z6mo |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Indian authorities arrested a 17-year-old school dropout who allegedly created a fake social media account to issue bomb threats. He was believed to have targeted four flights.<ref name=":3" />

===December 2024===
On 9 December 2024, over 40 schools in Delhi received bomb threat emails demanding a [[ransom]] of US$30,000. The messages threatened that students would be harmed by multiple small explosives hidden on school premises, leading to widespread panic and evacuations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 December 2024 |title='You all deserve to suffer, lose limbs': Panic grips Delhi as over 40 schools receive bomb threat |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/you-all-deserve-to-suffer-and-lose-limbs-bomb-threat-letter-to-over-40-delhi-schools-demands-30000/articleshow/116123854.cms |publisher=Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

On the same day, six hotels in [[Gurgaon|Gurugram]] also received bomb threats, causing alarm among guests and staff. Bomb squads and local police were dispatched to the affected locations; however, no explosives were found during search operations. Authorities stated that efforts were underway to trace the IP addresses from which the threat emails originated.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 December 2024 |first=Sanjay |last=Yadav |title=Gurugram hotels receive bomb threats, nothing found in search |url=https://www.google.com/search?safe=off&sca_esv=63c7668e472ab9a2&hl=en&sxsrf=ADLYWILuNQ6Z96XRx8SLoBF4RocA0f_0Tw%3A1733801947817&q=India+bomb+threats&oq=India+bomb+threats&aqs=heirloom-srp..0l5 |publisher=The Tribune |access-date=9 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

== Investigation ==
The bomb threat emails received by schools in Delhi are suspected to have originated from [[Budapest]], [[Hungary]]. According to police officials, the IP address of the anonymous sender was traced to the Hungarian capital. Authorities also reported that the emails were sent via ''mail.ru'', a Russian-based email service, and that a formal request had been sent to the provider for further information. Delhi Police stated they were planning to contact law enforcement agencies in Hungary to assist with the investigation. Preliminary findings raised suspicions of a “deeper conspiracy,” possibly involving an ISIS-linked module attempting to disrupt the ongoing [[2024 Indian general election|general election]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-21 |title=Bomb threat emails sent to 150 schools traced to Budapest; larger conspiracy possibly at play, say police |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/bomb-threat-emails-sent-to-150-schools-traced-to-budapest-larger-conspiracy-possibly-at-play-say-police/article68201529.ece |access-date=2024-05-23 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, [[Vinai Kumar Saxena]], requested a detailed report from the state police and directed them to carry out search operations and identify the perpetrators without delay. He urged parents to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-01 |title=Bomb threat in Delhi-NCR schools: L-G Saxena seeks report from police; urges parents not to panic |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/bomb-threat-in-delhi-ncr-schools-l-g-saxena-seeks-report-from-police-urges-parents-not-to-panic/articleshow/109746867.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-05-23 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

Cybercrime officials initiated an investigation after a [[First information report|FIR]] was registered by the [[Kanpur Police]]. Authorities were also examining similarities between the threat emails received by schools in [[Lucknow]], [[Bengaluru]], [[Jaipur]], and [[Delhi]], in an effort to identify patterns and possible connections.<ref name=":0" />

On 29 May, the [[Hyderabad City Police]] arrested a man accused of making hoax bomb threat calls regarding explosives planted at Praja Bhavan and the Nampally Court. According to police reports, the suspect admitted to making the calls while in an intoxicated state, following a domestic dispute with his wife.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Indo-Asian News |date=2024-05-30 |title=Man arrested over hoax bomb threats in Hyderabad |url=https://www.siasat.com/man-arrested-over-hoax-bomb-threats-in-hyderabad-3034829/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=The Siasat Daily |language=en-US}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[2016 Australian school bomb threats]]
* [[2005 Brisbane bomb hoax]]
* [[2018 Bitcoin bomb threats]]
* [[October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:2024 crimes in India]]
[[Category:April 2024 in India]]
[[Category:May 2024 in India]]
[[Category:June 2024 in India]]
[[Category:2024 hoaxes]]
[[Category:Hoaxes in India]]
[[Category:October 2024 in India]]

2024 Indian bomb hoaxes - Revision history

GavinEspinoza2 at 16:27, 19 April 2026