Bengaluru airport and schools receive hoax bomb threats; FIR registered
In a troubling series of events that sent waves of fear through Karnataka, a hoax bomb threat email targeted Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru and Vidyodaya Public School in Udupi district. Fortunately, both threats were declared false after thorough security checks, but the incidents have raised serious concerns about safety, cyber misuse, and the psychological impact on the public.
Bomb Scare at Bengaluru’s Busy Airport
On June 13, 2025, operations at Kempegowda International Airport were momentarily on edge when the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) received a bomb threat email through its official account. Immediately, airport officials alerted the BIAL (Bangalore International Airport Limited) police, who registered a First Information Report (FIR) and launched a detailed security sweep.
Security teams, including bomb disposal squads, sniffer dogs, and anti-sabotage units, combed the terminals, baggage areas, and parking spaces. Despite the alarming nature of the email, the investigation revealed no suspicious objects or explosives on the premises.
Airport operations continued without major disruption, although travelers were visibly tense, and some flights experienced slight delays. Officials praised the quick response and coordination between CISF and BIAL police that helped manage the situation smoothly.
Udupi School Students and Parents Panic Amid Threat
Just three days later, on June 16, 2025, a similar hoax threat shook Vidyodaya Public School in Udupi. An anonymous email warned of a bomb planted on school grounds. As a precaution, school authorities quickly evacuated students and staff and called in local law enforcement.
The Udupi Town Police, in collaboration with the Anti-Sabotage Team, dog squads, and bomb detection units, carried out an extensive inspection of the entire school campus. Their search concluded with no discovery of any explosive materials, confirming the threat as a hoax.
Nevertheless, the incident caused considerable anxiety among parents, children, and school staff. Many parents rushed to the school upon hearing the news and expressed concerns about the emotional toll such false alarms have on young children.
FIRs Filed, Cyber Investigation Underway
Following both incidents, the authorities registered FIRs under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, which may include:
- Section 505 (statements conducing to public mischief),
- Section 506 (criminal intimidation), and
- Section 507 (criminal intimidation by anonymous communication).
Cybersecurity experts are now working to trace the origin of the emails. Officials believe the sender may have used fake accounts or international servers to avoid detection. As a result, cybercrime cells are collaborating with central intelligence agencies to track down the perpetrators.
Rise in Hoax Threats: A Worrying Trend
This isn’t the first time Karnataka has experienced such false alarms. Over the past year, several schools across Bengaluru received similar bomb threats, all of which turned out to be hoaxes. These incidents appear to follow a troubling pattern that authorities cannot ignore.
Hoax threats not only waste valuable public resources but also cause panic, delay operations, and disturb children’s education. More worryingly, they divert police and emergency services from real emergencies. Experts fear that repeated false alarms might eventually lead to complacency, making the public less responsive to genuine threats.
Schools and Airports on High Alert
After these incidents, both educational institutions and transportation hubs across the state have heightened their security protocols. Schools are reviewing their emergency response plans, conducting mock drills, and coordinating more closely with local police. Airports are ramping up digital surveillance and employee training to better detect suspicious communications early.
The Department of Public Instruction has also urged school managements to immediately report any suspicious emails or messages and refrain from sharing them with students or parents before verification.
The Psychological Impact: Children and Public Anxiety
For many school-going children, the threat came during morning classes, turning an ordinary school day into a moment of fear and confusion. Psychologists warn that such threats, even when false, can lead to stress, anxiety, and even long-term trauma if not addressed sensitively.
Parents have expressed concern over how these incidents affect their children emotionally. “My daughter is now afraid to go to school,” said one Udupi parent. “Even though it was a hoax, the fear was very real for them.”
Experts recommend that schools offer counseling sessions and parent workshops to help students cope with the aftermath.
Legal Consequences for Perpetrators
Authorities have made it clear that they will treat such threats with utmost seriousness. If identified, the sender could face severe penalties, including imprisonment. Even if the threat turns out to be a prank or attempt to disrupt daily routines, the legal system does not take such acts lightly.
Officials are also considering changes to current laws to increase penalties for hoax threats, especially those made to public institutions like schools and airports.
Conclusion
The bomb threats to Bengaluru airport and a Udupi school may have been hoaxes, but their impact was significant and widespread. These incidents underline the importance of robust cyber monitoring, prompt security responses, and public awareness.
While law enforcement agencies continue their investigation, the public must stay alert but not alarmed. At the same time, it’s essential for the government to send a strong message that abusing digital platforms to spread fear will not go unpunished.
