A bomb threat email received by the Passport Office on Lalbagh Road in Bengaluru triggered a major security response on Tuesday, January 7, 2026, prompting the deployment of bomb detection units, anti-sabotage squads, and police teams from S R Nagar and Wilson Garden stations. Officials conducted a thorough search of the building and surrounding areas as a precautionary measure, but no explosives or suspicious materials were found, confirming the alert as a hoax. Security arrangements in the vicinity have since been strengthened to ensure public safety, while investigations are underway to identify and trace the sender of the alarming message.

The incident disrupted normal operations at the passport office, causing temporary panic among staff and visitors. Authorities acted swiftly to evacuate and secure the premises following standard protocol for such threats. This episode highlights the ongoing challenge of dealing with hoax bomb alerts, which often aim to create disruption and fear despite lacking any real danger. Police sources emphasized that the email was treated with utmost seriousness to safeguard lives and property, even as the search yielded no credible evidence of an actual threat.

This Bengaluru hoax comes amid a recent wave of similar false bomb threats across Karnataka. On the same day, multiple government institutions, including the Karnataka High Court’s Dharwad bench and district courts in Mysuru, Gadag, Bagalkot, and the Tahsildar office in Sedam, faced evacuations and security sweeps after receiving comparable emails. Hearings were suspended, and emergency teams, including bomb disposal units and fire services, were mobilized in each case. Subsequent checks confirmed these alerts to be hoaxes as well, with no explosive devices discovered.

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The pattern of coordinated hoax threats targeting key public facilities has raised concerns about the motives behind such actions, which can strain law enforcement resources and cause unnecessary public inconvenience. Authorities have initiated probes in each instance to track the origin of the emails, potentially involving cybercrime units to analyze digital footprints. Such incidents underscore the importance of vigilance and rapid response protocols while also highlighting the need for measures to deter and penalize those responsible for spreading false alarms.

These recurring hoax bomb threats reflect a broader issue of misuse of digital communication to instill fear and disrupt essential services. As investigations progress, officials are likely to coordinate across districts to identify any common sources or patterns. In the meantime, the public is urged to remain calm and cooperate with authorities during such situations, while law enforcement continues to balance caution with efficiency to minimize disruption to daily life and operations in the state.

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