India on high alert as bomb threats target Delhi HC, airport and multiple locations

Bomb threats have been received at several key installations in the Indian capital, including the Delhi High Court and Indira Gandhi International Airport, ahead of India's Independence Day celebrations.

An email sent in the name of 'Khalistan' warned of explosions at several locations in Delhi. Security measures have been tightened across the country following the incident, Indian media The Hindu reported.

The email, titled 'Bomb Blast Delhi High Court @ 2:11 PM', threatened an explosion at the High Court at 2:11pm local time on Saturday, August 15. It also threatened explosions at Delhi's district courts at 3:11pm on the same day.

Indian media said authorities are monitoring the situation. Necessary security measures have been taken.

Meanwhile, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported that bomb threats were sent via email to the Delhi High Court, Terminal-3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport and several government offices on Independence Day. However, security forces confirmed after searches that these threats were 'hoaxes'.

According to police sources, multiple emails were received on Friday morning threatening bomb attacks on Saturday at several SDM offices, the airport and various government departments. Police, bomb disposal teams and fire service personnel quickly arrived at the locations and conducted searches but found nothing suspicious.

The email claimed the attacks were planned in retaliation for cases filed in Delhi courts.

It also claimed that members of 'Khalistan', a separatist group demanding a separate Sikh state, had already reached Delhi.

Besides the Delhi High Court and Indira Gandhi International Airport's Terminal-3, threats were sent to six other locations, including Delhi Metro, Jamnagar House, Jhandewalan Building, Saket Office, the District Magistrate's office and the SDM office in Delhi Cantonment.

Fire brigade vehicles were sent to the identified locations, but no suspicious items have been found so far.

Source: The Hindu, PTI