Summary
- At least 40 private schools in Bengaluru received a threatening email claiming explosives were planted.
- Bomb squads and police teams conducted extensive checks; no explosives were found so far.
- Cybercrime units have launched a probe to trace the origin of the email sent from an anonymous account.
A City Gripped by Fear
Bengaluru woke up to panic on Friday morning after 40 private schools received an alarming email warning of multiple explosives planted in classrooms. The email, which bore the chilling title “BOMBS INSIDE THE SCHOOL,” led to large-scale evacuations, massive police deployment, and a citywide sense of dread among parents, students, and school authorities.
The messages, sent from the email ID roadkill333@atomicmail.io, threatened mass casualties and graphically described the alleged placement of TNT-filled explosives. Authorities were quick to act, mobilizing bomb disposal squads across affected neighborhoods, including Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Kengeri.
By mid-morning, frantic parents were seen rushing to schools to collect their children. Despite intensive checks, no suspicious devices were found, but officials warned that investigations are ongoing.
Bengaluru in chaos as 15 private schools receive bomb threat emails from roadkill333@atomicmail.io at 7:31 AM. Police and bomb squads deployed, investigations ongoing. #Bengaluru #BombThreat #SchoolSafety #CyberCrime #IndiaNews pic.twitter.com/hK3WElAlit
— Ashrithaaaaaa (@Ashrithaaaaaaa) July 18, 2025
The Threat: Dark and Disturbing Details
- The email threatened mass death and detailed TNT explosives hidden in classrooms.
- The sender expressed suicidal intentions and demanded that the threat be shared with the media.
- Authorities are treating the email as a criminal act of terror designed to spread fear.
The language of the email revealed not just malice but a disturbing mental state. “Not a single soul will survive. I will gladly laugh when I will watch the news, only to see the parents show up at the school and to be greeted by the cold, dismembered bodies of their children,” it read.
The sender also claimed to be suicidal, expressing hatred for life and a deep resentment toward mental health professionals. “Psychiatrists, psychologists, no one has ever cared,” the email said. Such statements suggest the sender is attempting to provoke maximum fear, while also hinting at psychological instability.
Police have not ruled out the possibility that the threats are a hoax, but given the scale and specificity of the messages, authorities are handling the situation with utmost seriousness.
The Police Response and Cyber Probe
- Bengaluru City Police launched simultaneous checks across 40 schools.
- Cybercrime experts are tracking the email’s digital footprint.
- Officials urged parents and schools to remain calm as no bombs have been found.
Top officials from the Bengaluru Police have confirmed that no explosive devices have been discovered in any of the targeted schools so far. “We are treating this as an act of cyber terrorism until proven otherwise,” said a senior police official.
The Cybercrime Unit is analyzing the IP trails of the atomicmail.io domain and collaborating with national agencies to trace the sender. Authorities suspect the email may have originated outside India, complicating the investigation.
Security drills have been intensified in all educational institutions across the city. Police have also advised schools to review surveillance systems and report any suspicious activity.
Beyond the Threat: Safety and Preparedness
Friday’s incident has raised serious questions about the vulnerability of educational institutions to psychological terror tactics. Even if no explosives were planted, the panic and disruption caused to thousands of families highlight the need for better threat management and cyber intelligence.
Parents have voiced concern over the absence of clear communication during the initial hours of the scare. “I was terrified. I didn’t know what to believe,” said a parent from a school in Kengeri.
As investigations continue, the focus now shifts to whether this was the work of a lone individual seeking attention or a coordinated attempt to sow chaos.
