Security tightened in Kullu after bomb threat
The Kullu district authorities are on high alert after it received an email threatening of multiple bomb blasts at key locations within next 24 hours. The email received by the district administration specifically mentioned government institutions, public spaces and tourist destinations, prompting an urgent security response.
One of the primary concerns is the ongoing Spring Festival Trade Fair at Dhalpur Ground, which will run till May 15. Hundreds of stalls have been set up at Dhalpur Ground and thousands of people visit the fair every year. Security has been ramped up with the deployment of additional personnel, metal detectors and enhanced surveillance.
The influx of tourists, as the season begins, is compounding the concerns caused by the bomb threat. Large crowds can be seen at various spots in Kullu and Manali but the limited police presence in the district makes security a challenge. The authorities fear that the bomb threat can significantly impact tourism. The tension has heightened also due to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
Kullu SP Karthikeyan Gokulachandran said, “We’ve taken immediate steps to ensure safety and are working with cybercrime units and law enforcement agencies to verify the credibility of the threatening email.” He assured people that key infrastructure, including government offices, transport hubs and schools, was under heightened security.
Sources said that bomb disposal squads, sniffer dogs and rapid response teams had been deployed at various places and reinforcements had been requested from nearby districts.
However, there has been a mixed public response to the bomb threat. There is a noticeable increase in the police presence at fairgrounds amid reports of schools closing early. Some vendors noticed a decline in pedestrian movement as rumours spread. Dhalpur resident Meena Thakur said, “Even if this is a hoax email, safety should not be ignored, especially at a crowded festival place.”
Meanwhile, the local administration has urged residents and tourists to remain cautious and not to panic. Emergency helplines have been activated and safety advisories are being shared widely. The authorities are encouraging the public to report any suspicious activity and avoid unnecessary crowding at potential target locations. Security has also been strengthened at all district entry and exit points to ensure thorough monitoring.
This incident follows a troubling trend of hoax bomb calls in Himachal Pradesh in the recent past. In March, hoax bomb threats had disrupted operations at government offices in Shimla and Mandi. Similar hoax emails were received at various airports last month, leading to temporary evacuations and delays.
The memories of the blast at Kasol in the Manikaran valley in January 2022 add to the concerns. Though only a car was damaged in the blast and there were no casualties, two suspects of a terror module operated by terrorist Harvinder Singh, alias Rinda, who is now in Pakistan, were arrested in March 2024 for their connection with the incident.
Himachal Tribune