Bomb Threat Emails Spark Panic Across Gujarat, Passport and Post Offices Evacuated

Ahmedabad | Gujarat –— A series of threatening emails warning of cyanide gas–filled IED explosions sent to passport offices, post offices and a university across Gujarat triggered panic on Tuesday morning, forcing authorities to evacuate buildings and launch massive security checks across multiple cities.

The alarming messages were received at the regional passport office in Surat, passport offices in Ahmedabad and Rajkot, Parul University in Vadodara, and post offices in Bhavnagar, Surat, Junagadh and Bardoli, putting security agencies across the state on high alert.

Police officials said Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) teams, dog squads and local police units rushed to the locations immediately after the threats surfaced, while the premises were evacuated as a precaution.

Cyanide IED Threat Shakes Security Agencies

One of the most serious emails was received by the regional passport office in Surat’s Hira Nagar area at 8:49 am from an ID identified as alex_paul_menon@outlook.com

The sender claimed that five Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) filled with cyanide gas had been planted in the passport office and warned officials to evacuate the premises before 1:10 pm.

“Five IEDs filled with cyanide gas will explode in your passport office. Cover your mouth and nose and vacate the office by 1:10 pm,” the threatening email stated.

The message created immediate panic in the office and officials quickly informed the Surat Police Commissioner and security agencies.

Explosive Claims Linked to ₹2,000 Crore Drug Case

The email also made sensational claims related to an alleged ₹2,000 crore international drug racket, referring to a case involving a person named Jafar Sadiq.

According to the message, the drug case was merely a diversion while drug money was allegedly being used to fund terrorist activities in India.

The email further claimed that the network was linked to Pakistan’s ISI and radical organisations operating in South India, though police have not confirmed the authenticity of these claims.

Suspicious Organisation Mentioned

At the end of the email, the sender signed off as “Alex Paul Menon, c/o Madras Tigers, Coimbatore.”

The message made controversial allegations about political organisations and claimed links to extremist ideologies including Al-Badr and Taliban, warning of possible coordinated attacks across India.

Investigators said the email also included a disturbing note declaring “This is not a hoax.”

The sender even claimed that previous threat emails had been sent deliberately to measure the response time of Gujarat Police’s ATS and bomb squad units.

Massive Security Operation Launched

Following the threat, authorities evacuated the passport office premises and began a detailed search operation using advanced detection equipment and sniffer dogs.

Similar precautionary checks were conducted at post offices and passport offices across the state, including Bardoli, where police cordoned off the area and suspended operations temporarily.

Officials from the passport office also submitted a written report to the Surat Police Commissioner, Ministry of External Affairs and district administration.

Cyber Cell Traces Email Origin

The Surat Cyber Crime Cell has launched an investigation to trace the origin of the threatening email.

Preliminary analysis suggests the email may have been sent using public Wi-Fi networks or a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to conceal the sender’s identity.

A senior police officer said investigators are examining whether the threats are part of a larger conspiracy or the work of mischief-makers attempting to create panic.

“Every angle is being investigated seriously. Cyber experts are tracing the digital trail and security agencies are verifying the credibility of the threats,” the officer said.