Who threatened to blow up over 150 schools in the capital amid parliamentary elections? This question looms large even after 24 hours. Authorities initially dismissed it as a hoax, but pressing questions remain unanswered while startling revelations emerge. Investigation agencies disclosed the use of the dark web to send these threatening emails. Encrypted content and an alleged ISIS module have also surfaced. The Police are taking the matter seriously, considering a possible terror angle in their probe.
Indeed, in the early hours of Wednesday, an email arrived at over 150 schools in Delhi-NCR, claiming a large quantity of explosives was present on premises, and that these institutions would be razed in impending bomb blasts. Alarmingly, this threat surfaced just before schools were due to open. Many students had already started arriving. With millions of children's education disrupted, the schools were sealed off as countless parents grappled with anxiety, and tensions prevailed in many areas.
The school threat emails dispelled as rumors
Even after a day, it remains unclear who is tormenting innocent children with these terrifying threats. In response to widespread fear and panic, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement assuring that the threat was mere speculation, reaffirming there was no need for students and their families to worry — a sentiment echoed by Delhi Police. Special cells, bomb squads, fire brigades, and other elite teams conducted thorough checks at all the concerned schools and found nothing suspicious to substantiate the threats. The Police concluded that the identical emails sent to nearly all schools amounted to nothing more than rumors.
Investigation points to Russian email domain
Initial probes raised suspicions of a 'deep conspiracy' by a terrorist group during the elections. Fears that the threatening email stemmed from an ISIS module are being considered. The Special Cell of Delhi's terrorist-fighting unit has traced the email's domain to Russia and hints at the possibility of it being created with the help of the dark web—a vast arsenal of encrypted online content allowing individuals to mask their identity and location.
Why the suspicion of a terrorist organization's involvement?
Authorities hint at the potential involvement of the National Investigation Agency due to the terror group's suspected role and the possibility of a nationwide conspiracy. With language in the threatening email similar to that used by ISIS, the email ID 'savariim@mail.ru' evokes significant concern. 'Sawariim,' when read as a single word, means 'clashing of swords,' an Arabic term first utilized by the terrorist organization in 2014. Delhi Police are probing whether a terror organization, possibly ISIS, is behind this email and rumor.
The email, deemed serious by Delhi Police
According to local authorities, the email was sent from a Russian server using a temporary email ID known to deactivate within an hour — a tactic familiar with terrorist groups like ISIS. Although the internet infrastructure was Russian, the actual use could be from anywhere globally, thus prompting the investigation into the IP address used to send this email. As the probe is still at its preliminary stage, it's not conclusively established to be from ISIS. The use of proxy addresses has been noted in the transmission of the email.
Renowned institutions targeted by threats
Prior to this, on Wednesday morning, educational institutions including DPS Mathura Road, Saket, Sanskriti School, and Amity School, to name a few, received threats. A senior officer from Noida Police confirmed that seven schools in the satellite city were targeted.
Cyber warfare and terror could be the agenda
The language and threats contained in the emails sent to all the schools were identical. 'Holy Quranic verses' were also present in the emails. An official, requesting anonymity, suggested the primary agenda behind mass emailing threats could be to instill fear and wage a cyberwar. The Special Cell and the investigative team have registered an FIR under conspiracy and threat charges. Security has been significantly increased across all metro and railway stations, bus depots, and marketplaces in the national capital.
Email source tracked down, says LG
Meanwhile, the Delhi government issued an advisory for schools, emphasizing the timely inspection of any emails received on their official addresses. The Education Directorate ensured school administrators/managers of various institutions are vigilant throughout the day about communication received. The Lt. Governor declared that Delhi Police had already identified the source of the threatening emails and assured stringent punishment for the culprits.
