The city police were thrust into action on Tuesday following a bomb threat received by a shopping mall in Thirumangalam, sparking panic and prompting a swift response from law enforcement authorities. However, the threat, which initially sent shockwaves through the area, was later determined to be a hoax, underscoring the challenges posed by malicious actors seeking to sow fear and disruption.
According to police sources, the management of the shopping mall received a threatening phone call, alerting them to the presence of a bomb within the premises. Acting swiftly, the mall management promptly notified the authorities, triggering a coordinated response from the City Police.
Within minutes, personnel from the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) descended upon the mall, accompanied by sniffer dogs, to conduct a thorough sweep of the premises. After meticulously scouring every nook and cranny of the mall, the authorities concluded that the bomb threat was unsubstantiated, easing the apprehensions of shoppers and staff alike.
Despite the false alarm, the City Police remain vigilant and are actively pursuing leads to identify the individual responsible for perpetrating the hoax. Efforts to trace the caller are underway, with law enforcement agencies leaving no stone unturned in their quest for justice.
This incident is not an isolated occurrence, as earlier this month, a private school in Kodambakkam fell victim to a similar hoax bomb threat. In that instance, a miscreant had sent a menacing message to school authorities, demanding that they call a designated mobile phone number to prevent the purported explosion. Subsequent investigations revealed that the phone number was associated with a software professional employed at a prominent IT company, indicating that the individual’s identity had been hijacked for nefarious purposes.