School authorities promptly alerted the police, leading to coordinated search operations and temporary movement restrictions within campuses. (Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)Chandigarh is on high alert after an anonymous email warning of explosions in city schools and at the Punjab Secretariat triggered swift precautionary measures on Friday as the police ramped up security at government establishments and schools and intensified security checks across the city.The email contained phrases such as “save your children,” and referred to explosions in “Chandigarh schools at 1:11,” and a blast at “3:11” at the Punjab Secretariat, police sources said.Police officials, however, urged citizens not to panic, stating that standard safety protocols have been activated and no suspicious objects had been found during initial searches.Delhi Public School, Sector 40, Bhavan Vidyalaya Chandigarh, and St Kabir Public School, Sector 26, reported receiving bomb threat emails. School authorities promptly alerted the police, leading to coordinated search operations and temporary movement restrictions within campuses.According to sources, the email reportedly carried a subject line warning of a “school bomb blast” and was sent to official email addresses associated with the institutions. The content included provocative and inflammatory language, warnings to recipients to safeguard children, and specific times.The message also reportedly referred to “justice for Hardeep Singh Nijjar” and contained claims that bomb blasts would take place in Chandigarh over the next two days, alongside extremist slogans and rhetoric apparently aimed at creating fear, police sources saidPolice teams, bomb disposal squads and dog units were deployed at the affected schools. As a precaution, detailed checks of classrooms, staff rooms, corridors, parking areas and playgrounds were carried out. Staff present at the time were moved to safe locations while security personnel conducted systematic searches.Story continues below this adSecurity arrangements were simultaneously strengthened at key government establishments mentioned in the email, including the Punjab Secretariat. Additional personnel were stationed, and surveillance was intensified as part of standard precautionary protocol.Senior police officials said that, so far, no suspicious material had been detected, but reiterated that all threats are treated seriously until thoroughly verified.The cyber cell has initiated an investigation to trace the origin of the email, examining IP addresses and digital routing details. Officials noted that the structure and tone of the message bore similarities to previous hoax threats received in the region, though investigations remain ongoing and no definitive conclusion has been reached.Chandigarh had witnessed a similar scare in January when around 30 private schools received threatening emails, prompting widespread searches that later turned out to be hoaxes. Similar threat messages were also reported earlier at the Punjab and Haryana Secretariat and the District Court complex in the city, both of which were declared false alarms after exhaustive checks.Story continues below this adPolice authorities have appealed to parents and residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information. They emphasised that precautionary evacuations and searches are routine safety measures meant to ensure public safety and do not necessarily indicate the presence of an actual explosive device.Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:chandigarh