Chandigarh, Feb 19: The Punjab Secretariat in Sector 1 was placed under a high-security alert on Thursday after authorities received a bomb threat via email. The message, which reportedly mentioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as a target, prompted an immediate response from the Chandigarh Police, bomb disposal squads, and dog units.
Officials affirmed that a comprehensive search was conducted across the building, which serves as a major administrative hub in the region. Emergency vehicles, including fire tenders and ambulances, remained on standby throughout the operation. A senior police officer stated that after an extensive anti-sabotage check, no suspicious materials or explosives were discovered on the premises.
The incident is the second of its kind in recent weeks, following a similar hoax targeting the Secretariat last month. Authorities declared that security has been significantly tightened around the high-security zone as a precautionary measure. Cyber experts are currently examining the email to trace its origin, noting that preliminary analysis suggests the use of VPN servers to mask the sender’s location.
