Chandigarh, Mohali Schools Evacuated After Receiving Bomb Threats
Ten schools in Chandigarh and Mohali received bomb threat emails and calls on February 11, 2026, leading to immediate evacuations and suspension of classes. Police launched investigations, and similar threats have been reported in other Indian cities, with past incidents being declared hoaxes.
Key Highlights
- Ten schools in Chandigarh and Mohali received bomb threats on Feb 11, 2026.
- Students were sent home and classes suspended as a safety precaution.
- Police conducted searches and investigations into the origin of the threats.
- Similar bomb threats have been a recurring issue in Indian schools.
- No explosives were found in any of the targeted schools.
- The threats are part of a wider trend of hoax bomb threats across India.
On February 11, 2026, a wave of bomb threats disrupted educational institutions in Chandigarh and Mohali, with at least ten private schools receiving alarming emails and calls. The threats, which emerged early in the morning, prompted immediate action from school authorities who evacuated students and suspended classes for the day as a precautionary measure. Parents were notified, and in some cases, buses en route to schools were turned back, with parents asked to collect their children from designated points.
In response to the threats, police and emergency services, including bomb disposal squads and anti-sabotage teams, were swiftly deployed to the affected schools. Extensive searches were conducted across campuses, including classrooms, playgrounds, and school buses. While the initial reports indicated a high level of concern, all thorough inspections concluded without the discovery of any explosives or suspicious materials, leading authorities to believe these were likely hoax threats. This aligns with a pattern of similar incidents that have occurred across various cities in India, including Delhi, over the past few years.
Authorities have initiated investigations to trace the origin of these threatening emails and calls, with cyber cells actively involved in the probe. The Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police, Harmandeep Singh Hans, confirmed that sixteen schools in Mohali had received the emails and that around 300 police personnel were involved in the search operations. He also mentioned that additional teams were sought from neighboring districts. Similarly, in Chandigarh, police registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. The pattern of such threats has become increasingly frequent, causing significant disruption and anxiety among students, parents, and educators. In a similar incident on January 28, 2026, around 30 schools in Chandigarh (20 private and 10 government) had also received bomb threat emails, which were subsequently declared hoaxes after thorough security checks. This recurring phenomenon stretches emergency services and places a considerable burden on security apparatus. The threats often originate from untraceable or masked IP addresses, making the investigation challenging. Despite the repeated nature of these hoaxes, authorities emphasize the importance of following standard operating procedures for safety and investigation. The Hindustan Times, the source of the original article, is a widely circulated English-language daily newspaper in India, although its credibility has been subject to scrutiny by some media bias trackers, with ratings indicating a left-center bias and questionable sourcing in some instances. However, the core facts of the bomb threats themselves are corroborated by multiple credible news outlets.
The pattern of these threats is not isolated to Chandigarh and Mohali. Earlier in February 2026, several schools in Delhi had also received similar bomb threats, leading to evacuations and security sweeps. Notably, a bomb threat email received in Delhi on February 9, 2026, even contained political undertones, mentioning "Delhi will become Khalistan" and referencing Afzal Guru, further complicating the security response. These incidents underscore a worrying trend of individuals or groups exploiting digital platforms to cause panic and disrupt public life. The constant barrage of hoax threats not only strains law enforcement resources but also desensitizes the public and school communities to genuine threats, necessitating a careful balance between robust security measures and avoiding undue alarm. The recurring nature of these incidents suggests a need for stronger international cooperation and advanced cyber-forensic capabilities to identify and prosecute the perpetrators.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools in Chandigarh and Mohali received bomb threats on February 11, 2026?
At least ten private schools in Chandigarh and Mohali received bomb threat emails and calls on February 11, 2026. Reports indicate that in Mohali, sixteen schools were affected.
What was the police response to the bomb threats?
Upon receiving the threats, police and emergency services, including bomb disposal squads and anti-sabotage teams, were deployed to the affected schools. Thorough searches were conducted, and investigations were launched to trace the origin of the threats.
Were any explosives found in the schools?
No suspicious devices or explosives were found in any of the targeted schools after thorough searches by the police and bomb disposal squads.
Is this the first time schools in India have received bomb threats?
No, this is part of a recurring trend of hoax bomb threats that have affected numerous schools, colleges, and other institutions across India in recent years. Many of these past threats have been declared hoaxes.
What is the current status of the investigation into these threats?
Investigations are ongoing to trace the origin of the emails and calls. Cyber cells are involved in the probe, but the perpetrators often use methods to mask their identity and location, making the investigation challenging.