Hotels bomb threats: Multiple hotels in Kolkata, Tirupati, and Rajkot received bomb threats via email on Saturday, leading to extensive security checks and evacuations. The threats coincided with a visit from Home Minister Amit Shah in Bengal and contained references to high-profile figures and previous incidents. All threats were eventually deemed hoaxes.Over 20 hotels targeted across three states Over 20 hotels across Kolkata, Tirupati, and Rajkot were rattled on Saturday after receiving bomb threats via email. These threats, which ultimately proved to be hoaxes, sparked concerns that the recent wave of hoax threats targeting flights and airports was now extending to other sectors during the festive season.In Kolkata, at least 10 prominent hotels, including several luxury properties, received threatening emails as Home Minister Amit Shah visited West Bengal. Emergency bomb squads conducted thorough checks, but no explosives were found. According to a police official, the email format mirrored those of similar threats directed at schools earlier this year. Kolkata Police, in turn, notified central security agencies due to the series of threats received by flights over the previous week. The email sender used the alias Reality Is Fake, stating, “I have planted bombs on the grounds of your hotel. The bombs are hidden in black bags. They will detonate soon. You have little time to live. Evacuate.”Meanwhile, in Tirupati, three hotels received similar email threats on Saturday, with four hotels in the city targeted in the past two days. Each threat turned out to be a hoax, though they followed a concerning pattern. The emails made reference to Jaffer Sadiq, an alleged drug racket kingpin apprehended by central agencies in July, as well as Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udayanidhi Stalins wife Kiruthiga and TN DGP Shankar Jiwal. The email included a disturbing message: “Afzal Guru will be re-born! Al-Badr!” — an apparent reference to the 2001 Parliament attack convict executed in 2013. Additionally, it claimed that Andhra CM N. Chandrababu Naidus car was wired with hotel “IEDs.”Breaking:10 prominent hotels in #Rajkot, including Imperial Palace, Grand Regency and Hotel Sayaji, have received bomb threats via email.Police are on high alert, with bomb and dog squads actively inspecting locations. Crime branch team is also deployed. @CP_RajkotCity… pic.twitter.com/1SoMG20xqB— Yuvraj Singh Mann (@yuvnique) October 26, 2024In Gujarats Rajkot, 10 hotels received simultaneous emails around 12:45 PM on Saturday, each signed by Kan Din and warning of imminent explosions. Rajkot DCP Parthrajsinh Gohil confirmed that extensive searches were conducted in all locations, but no suspicious items were found.
