Security was tightened across Jalandhar on Wednesday after several private schools reportedly received an email threatening explosions at Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s rally and several other locations in the city.
The threat emerged hours before Shah was scheduled to address the concluding rally of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s 13-day “Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra.”
According to reports, the email specifically referred to Shah and identified several potential targets, including the rally venue, Shri Devi Talab Mandir, a court complex, schools and buses.
The message claimed that improvised explosive devices had been planted at some locations and threatened explosions during the Union home minister’s visit.
Authorities had not confirmed that any explosives were discovered at the locations mentioned in the email. Security agencies began examining the message and its digital trail to determine its origin and credibility.
Email claims device planted near stage
The threat message claimed an explosive device had been placed beneath the stage that Shah was expected to use. It also referred to the LR Doaba School ground near Shri Devi Talab Mandir and threatened buses transporting supporters to the BJP event.
The email contained pro-Khalistan language and mentioned purported organizations and individuals. However, the authenticity of the names and whether they had any connection to the threat had not been established.
It also included inflammatory references to Shah and the BJP and listed different times alongside some of the locations mentioned in the message.
Security agencies subsequently increased precautions surrounding Shah’s scheduled visit and the rally.
Thousands expected at BJP rally
Shah was scheduled to address a large BJP gathering at Paragpur on the outskirts of Jalandhar, marking the conclusion of the party’s statewide anti-drug campaign.
According to the BJP, the “Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra” travelled approximately 4,000 kilometres and covered all 117 assembly constituencies in Punjab during its 13-day run.
The concluding event was organized at a large site near National Highway 44, with thousands of party workers expected to attend.
Around 2,000 buses were expected to transport supporters from different areas of Punjab to the gathering.
Before attending the rally, Shah was also scheduled to visit Shri Devi Talab Mandir. Plans called for him to land at the nearby LR Doaba School ground before travelling to the temple.
Threat follows appearance of slogans
Wednesday’s security alert came one day after pro-Khalistan and anti-BJP slogans were discovered painted on walls at Jalandhar’s Red Cross Bhawan ahead of Shah’s visit.
Police registered a case and established a special team to investigate the incident. Authorities were also examining CCTV footage from the surrounding area.
Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner of Police Aditya Warrier had said an investigation into the incident was underway.
Security agencies are separately investigating the bomb threat email to establish who sent it and whether it represents a credible threat or an attempt to cause panic ahead of the high-profile political event.
As of the initial reports, authorities had not announced the discovery of an explosive device at the rally site or any of the other locations identified in the email.
The Jalandhar rally concludes the BJP’s “Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra,” which began Sept. 18 and has focused on issues including drug abuse, law and order and corruption in Punjab.
