Gujarat schools receive bomb threats; authorities suspect hoax
Over two dozen schools in Ahmedabad and Vadodara, Gujarat, received bomb threat emails on February 16, 2026. Campuses were evacuated and searched, but no suspicious items were found. Authorities suspect the threats are a hoax, similar to previous incidents, and a cybercrime investigation is underway.
Key Highlights
- Bomb threat emails received by 28+ schools in Ahmedabad and Vadodara.
- School campuses evacuated, and extensive search operations were conducted.
- No suspicious items were found by police and bomb disposal squads.
- Authorities suspect the threats are a hoax, citing similar past incidents.
- Cybercrime investigation launched to trace the origin of the emails.
On Monday, February 16, 2026, a wave of panic swept through Ahmedabad and Vadodara in Gujarat as at least 28 schools received bomb threat emails. The emails, reportedly sent from overseas-based Khalistani supporters, claimed that bombs had been planted on the school premises, prompting immediate evacuations and large-scale search operations by police and specialized units, including the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) [4, 6, 10, 11, 13, 15].
In Ahmedabad, more than 15 schools were targeted, while Vadodara reported 13 schools receiving similar threats [3, 4, 5, 10]. Among the institutions affected in Ahmedabad were DAV International School, Asia School, Ankur International School, and Sant Kabir School. In Vadodara, the list included D.R. Amin School, Urmi School, Baroda High School, and Don Bosco [3, 7, 8]. The content of the emails reportedly included messages such as "Modi-Shah are enemies of Khalistan, save your children" and a threat to turn India into Khalistan [9, 12, 11].
Following the alerts from school managements, police control rooms were immediately informed. Teams from local police, the Special Operations Group (SOG), the Crime Branch, and the BDDS were deployed to sanitise the campuses and ensure the safety of students and staff [4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13]. Authorities conducted thorough searches at all affected institutions. However, after extensive checks, no suspicious objects or explosives were found, leading officials to believe the threats were a hoax [3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15].
This incident is not unprecedented. On January 23, 2026, several schools in Ahmedabad had also received similar bomb threat emails, which were subsequently declared hoaxes [3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 16]. This recurring pattern has raised concerns among parents and authorities regarding the motivation behind these false alarms.
The police have registered cases with the cybercrime unit to trace the source of the emails and identify the sender [3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11]. Officials are treating the matter with utmost seriousness, despite the prima facie assessment that the emails are mischievous in nature [3, 5]. Gujarat Minister Rivaba Jadeja stated that the government is taking these threats seriously and that all warnings against schools and other places are investigated thoroughly [12]. The recurring nature of these hoax threats has led to public anger and a demand for stringent action against those responsible [16]. The investigation aims to identify the perpetrators and prevent future incidents, ensuring the safety and security of educational institutions.
The number of schools affected varies slightly across different reports, with figures ranging from 28 to over 30, and specific numbers like 17 each in Ahmedabad and Vadodara mentioned by some sources [4, 6, 11, 13]. These discrepancies are common in the initial stages of reporting on developing news events. However, the core facts remain consistent: multiple schools received bomb threats, leading to evacuations and searches, with no actual threat found.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools received bomb threats in Ahmedabad and Vadodara?
At least 28 schools across Ahmedabad and Vadodara received bomb threat emails. Some reports indicate the number could be slightly higher, with figures ranging from over 25 to 34 schools.
What action did authorities take after the bomb threats?
Following the threats, school campuses were immediately evacuated, and extensive search operations were conducted by police, including bomb detection and disposal squads. Students were sent home as a precautionary measure.
Were any suspicious objects found at the schools?
No, authorities confirmed that nothing suspicious was found at any of the affected schools after thorough searches.
What is the current suspicion regarding the threats?
Authorities suspect the bomb threats are a hoax. This suspicion is based on similar incidents that occurred previously and the absence of any found explosives.
What is being done to trace the source of the threats?
A cybercrime investigation has been launched to trace the origin of the emails and identify the sender. Cases have been registered, and the police are pursuing all leads.