Multiple schools in Chandigarh receive bomb threat emails; premises evacuated
The Chandigarh Police said St Stephen’s School, Sector 45; Chitkara International School, Sector 25; and Government Model Senior Secondary Schools in Sectors 16 and 19 received the threatening emails.
4 min readChandigarhUpdated: Jan 28, 2026 11:54 AM IST
Police personnel outside St. Stephen’s School after a bomb hoax email was received by the school in Chandigarh on Wednesday Morning, January 28, 2026. (Express photo by Jasbir Malhi)
Several schools in Chandigarh received bomb threat emails early Wednesday from an anonymous sender, prompting immediate security alerts, evacuations, and suspension of classes.
According to the police, St Stephen’s School, Sector 45; Chitkara International School, Sector 25; and Government Model Senior Secondary Schools in Sectors 16 and 19 received the threatening emails. Saupins School; Sector 32 A; Ryan International School Sector 49; and DPS School, Sector 40, also received the bomb threats, said the police.
Following the alerts, school administrations informed the police control room.
Officers said teams from local police stations, the bomb disposal squad, dog squad, and other security agencies rushed to the locations within minutes. They added that school staff were evacuated and the premises sealed, turning the areas into high-security zones. Children who had already reached school were sent back from the gates.
Officers said teams from local police stations, the bomb disposal squad, dog squad, and other security agencies rushed to the locations within minutes. (Express Photo by Jasbir Malhi)
Meanwhile, as part of precautionary measures, KBDAV School, Sector 7, and Government Model Senior Secondary Schools in Sectors 22 and 47 were also evacuated, where security agencies launched search operations for possible explosive material.
One of the nine schools that received the threat issued a communication to parents. “Dear Parent, We would like to inform you that the school received an anonymous email this morning containing a threat directed at schools in Chandigarh. The matter has been immediately reported to the Chandigarh Police, and we are in close coordination with the concerned authorities. As advised, all necessary safety and precautionary measures are being taken on campus to ensure the well-being of our students and staff. Attendance is left to the discretion of parents,” the school said.
“The safety of our students remains our highest priority. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you informed,” it added.
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Security agencies conducted intensive search operations across school premises, and thoroughly checked classrooms, staff rooms, corridors, parking areas and playgrounds. Bomb disposal teams examined suspicious spots using specialised equipment, while sniffer dogs carried out extensive sweeps, a police official said during checks at a school in Sector 25.
Naveen Sharma, a parent who came to drop his daughter at St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, said, “We were informed that the school would remain open, but when we reached the gate, we were told it had been closed due to the threat.”
Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Administration issued an advisory to all schools in the city asking them “to maintain calm and not create unnecessary panic”.
Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Administration issued an advisory to all schools in the city asking them “to maintain calm and not create unnecessary panic”. (Express Photo)
“In case any threatening e-mail or message is received, the same should be immediately reported to the Police, so that appropriate action can be taken as per established protocol. Schools are advised not to declare holidays without any verified basis, as such actions may lead to avoidable panic among students, parents and the general public. All schools are instructed to remain vigilant while continuing regular academic operations,” the Administration said.
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Police officers said the matter is being treated with utmost seriousness. The cyber cell has initiated an investigation to trace the origin and location of the threatening email, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the sender at the earliest.
This is not the first such incident in the city. In recent days, similar bomb threat emails were received targeting the District Courts in Chandigarh and the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Those threats later turned out to be hoaxes after extensive searches yielded no suspicious material.
However, security agencies remain on high alert as investigations continue.
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 More
Officers said teams from local police stations, the bomb disposal squad, dog squad, and other security agencies rushed to the locations within minutes. (Express Photo by Jasbir Malhi)
Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Administration issued an advisory to all schools in the city asking them “to maintain calm and not create unnecessary panic”. (Express Photo)
