New Delhi is confronting a new-age threat-one that doesn’t rely on physical explosives but instead weaponises fear through digital means. Over the past few months, a steady stream of hoax bomb calls and alarming emails has threatened to disrupt the capital’s daily rhythm, forcing security agencies into a near-constant state of alert. What initially appeared to be isolated incidents has now evolved into a clear and troubling pattern.
The first major alarm was raised on January 28, when a bomb threat at the Dwarka court complex triggered chaos and emergency response measures. Although no explosives were found, the psychological impact was immediate. Within a day, on January 29, the threats expanded to educational institutions. Five prominent schools—including Loreto Convent in Delhi Cantonment and Don Bosco School in Chittaranjan Park—received warning emails, sparking panic among parents and authorities alike.
The situation escalated significantly on February 9, when a threat mentioned the Indian Parliament along with multiple schools. The email, signed by the so-called “Khalistan National Army,” carried an alarming message: “Delhi will become Khalistan… There will be an explosion at 1:11 pm.” While it turned out to be a hoax, the symbolic targeting of the nation’s highest democratic institution marked a serious shift in tone and intent.
The pattern continued on February 23, when three major schools—Army Public School in Dhaula Kuan, Air Force Bal Bharti School, and Air Force School in Subroto Park—were forced into emergency evacuations. According to police sources, many of these emails included inflammatory content, references to key locations such as the Red Fort and Delhi Metro, and even remarks directed at top political leadership.
The scale of the issue is equally concerning. Delhi recorded over 500 hoax bomb threats in the past year, turning emergency response into a repetitive but necessary exercise. Each alert, regardless of credibility, demands full-scale security deployment—placing a continuous strain on law enforcement and public infrastructure.
The campaign reached a critical point on March 24, a day of political and economic importance marked by the presentation of Delhi’s Rs 1.1 lakh crore budget. Early that morning, threatening emails were sent to the Delhi Assembly, including a direct message to the Speaker. This time, the threat was more targeted and personal.
A “hit list” named some of the country’s top leaders and key officials in Delhi’s administration. Security was immediately heightened across sensitive locations, including the Red Fort, Assembly premises, and Metro stations. Despite extensive searches, no suspicious objects were found.
Investigators have traced the emails to anonymous Gmail accounts, but identifying the perpetrators remains a major challenge. Officials indicate that the senders are likely using private networks and encrypted systems to conceal their digital footprints, making IP tracking difficult.
A deeper analysis, however, shows that the KNA is the new digital avatar of the Pakistan ISI-sponsored network of Khalistani outfits which has been issuing threats to institutions and high value targets not just in Delhi but also neighbouring Punjab.
Police officials in Punjab said they are on their toes every time the KNA has surfaced in emails but the bogey of Khalistan has lost traction on ground as much as in the minds of people. Officials said despite several attempts being made by the pro-Khalistan outfits to create unrest in Punjab, Delhi, Haryana and beyond, there is no support to the idea – which is why the Pakistan ISI networks are using the digital platforms to keep the idea of Khalistan alive.
“The word Khalistan will be lost in memory of people which is why a new name has been created to propagate the same ideology and sentiment that has been fuelled by the Pakistan ISI in the past,” said a security official. Notably, the other known outfits like Sikhs for Justice and Khalistan Tiger Force among others have been banned.
At the same time, while none of these threats have resulted in actual explosions, dismissing them as mere hoaxes would be a mistake. While such threats trigger evacuation and fuel public anxiety, security officials said there can be no let up in the response mechanism which has to be fool proof at all times.
