In a major show of preparedness and swift coordination, the Gujarat Police and Bomb Disposal Squads responded effectively to multiple bomb threats received at the Gujarat High Court and two Vadodara-based CBSE schools over two days. Thankfully, no explosives were found, and all students and staff were evacuated safely, affirming the efficiency of the state’s emergency response system.
The Gujarat High Court was the first to receive a bomb threat, prompting an immediate high-alert response. The Ahmedabad Police, along with the bomb detection and disposal squad, launched a full-scale search operation. The area was cordoned off and thoroughly swept. After a detailed check, the premises were declared safe. Court operations were resumed following the clearance.
Meanwhile, Vadodara city was gripped by tension for the second straight day after Refinery English Medium CBSE School received a chilling bomb threat via email early Tuesday morning. The incident followed a similar threat at Navrachana School on Monday.
The email, sent to the school principal and discovered around 7:35 AM, stated: “A bomb has been planted in the school. It will explode.” The message triggered immediate action from Jawaharnagar Police, the Bomb Squad, Dog Squad, and the Vadodara Crime Branch.
Students were quickly evacuated and handed over to their parents within an hour. "Children have reached home safely, and checking is ongoing at the school," said Reena Verma, a staff member at Refinery School. Additional security forces, including CISF personnel and fire brigade teams, were stationed as a precaution given the school’s location near a refinery.
DCP Zone 1 Zuli Kothia confirmed the threat was issued under the name “Umar Farooq”, the same identity used in the Navrachana School threat. She stated the sender used a VPN, making tracing difficult but not impossible. “Both threats are strikingly similar. Our cyber and crime branches are actively investigating,” she said.
The Navrachana School incident on Monday had prompted a three-and-a-half-hour operation, which also ended without any suspicious items found. Authorities confirmed this is the second time in six months that Navrachana School has been targeted, leading to concerns over a recurring hoaxer seeking to incite fear.
