Delhi schools, Secretariat, Red Fort receive bomb threats; all declared hoax
Multiple institutions in Delhi, including two schools, the Delhi Secretariat, and the Red Fort, received bomb threat emails on February 23, 2026. Security agencies launched immediate investigations and search operations. All threats were subsequently declared hoaxes after no suspicious items were found. The emails, some mentioning 'Delhi banega Khalistan,' are being investigated by cyber cell teams.
Key Highlights
- Delhi schools, Secretariat, and Red Fort targeted with bomb threats.
- Security agencies conducted swift searches and evacuations.
- All threats were confirmed to be hoaxes with no suspicious findings.
- Cyber cell is investigating the origin of the threatening emails.
- The incident caused temporary disruption and heightened security.
On February 23, 2026, a wave of bomb threat emails disrupted various prominent institutions across Delhi, including two schools, the Delhi Secretariat, and the historic Red Fort. The threats, received on Monday morning, triggered immediate responses from security agencies, leading to evacuations and extensive search operations across the affected locations [3, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 25, 31].
The schools that received the threats were identified as Army Public School in Dhaula Kuan and Air Force Bal Bharati School on Lodhi Road [3, 8, 12, 19]. Upon receiving the emails, school authorities alerted the police, and as a precautionary measure, students and staff were evacuated from the premises. Similarly, the Delhi Secretariat and the Red Fort also received threats, leading to security personnel being deployed to these locations [15, 22, 25, 31].
Delhi Police, along with the bomb disposal squad, dog squad, and Delhi Fire Services, were promptly dispatched to conduct thorough searches at all threatened sites. Areas surrounding the schools and other targeted institutions were cordoned off to ensure public safety. Initial reports indicated that the emails were electronic in origin [12, 23]. Some of the threatening emails allegedly mentioned "Delhi banega Khalistan" and warned of blasts at specified times and locations over the following three days [15, 25, 31]. The emails reportedly came from an entity claiming to be the 'Khalistan National Army' [15, 25].
Despite the widespread panic and disruption caused by the threats, all search operations concluded without the discovery of any suspicious objects or devices. Consequently, the threats were officially declared as hoaxes [4, 8, 15, 22, 25]. The cyber cell of the police department has initiated an investigation to trace the origin of the emails, with experts attempting to identify the sender despite the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to mislead the probe [15, 25, 31].
This incident is part of a recurring pattern of bomb threats targeting educational institutions in Delhi. In recent months, several schools have received similar anonymous emails, which have consistently been found to be hoaxes. For instance, in December 2024, over 40 private schools received bomb threats, and in September 2025, two schools were targeted, with threats later declared a hoax [4, 30]. The Delhi government has implemented a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling bomb threats in schools, emphasizing prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery, including regular safety audits, mock drills, and swift coordination with emergency services [11, 14, 21]. This SOP aims to instill a culture of vigilance and ensure a coordinated response during emergencies, with legal action threatened against those responsible for false alarms [11, 14].
The recurring nature of these threats, though ultimately declared hoaxes, highlights a significant concern for public safety and causes considerable disruption. The authorities are actively working to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, emphasizing that all threats are treated as real until proven otherwise [21]. The investigation into the origin of these emails is ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which institutions in Delhi received bomb threat emails on February 23, 2026?
On February 23, 2026, Army Public School (Dhaula Kuan), Air Force Bal Bharati School (Lodhi Road), the Delhi Secretariat, and the Red Fort received bomb threat emails.
Were the bomb threats to Delhi institutions found to be real?
No, all the bomb threats received by institutions in Delhi on February 23, 2026, were investigated and subsequently declared as hoaxes after thorough searches found no suspicious items.
What actions were taken by authorities following the bomb threats?
Upon receiving the threats, security agencies, including the Delhi Police, bomb disposal squad, dog squad, and Delhi Fire Services, were immediately deployed. Evacuations were carried out at the schools, and extensive search operations were conducted at all affected locations. The cyber cell is investigating the origin of the emails.
What was the reported content of the bomb threat emails?
Some of the threatening emails allegedly mentioned 'Delhi banega Khalistan' and warned of blasts at specific locations and times. The emails were reportedly sent in the name of the Khalistan National Army.