Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and multiple cabinet ministers found themselves at the center of a security scare on Tuesday when a threatening email was received. The ominous message, allegedly sent by an individual named Shahid Khan using the email address Shahidkhan10786@protonmail.com, forewarned of an explosion set to occur in Bengaluru at precisely 2:48 pm on the upcoming Saturday.The menacing email, reported by ANI, conveyed a demand for a payment of 2.5 million dollars, approximately ₹20 crore, under the threat of large-scale explosions targeting buses, trains, temples, hotels, and public spaces throughout the state of Karnataka. The anonymous sender chillingly detailed their intentions, emphasizing that the first in a series of planned explosions would take place on the Ambari Utsav bus, with subsequent demands to be publicized on social media.The threatening correspondence explicitly identified high-profile targets, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, the states home minister, and the Bengaluru police chief. The email vowed to unleash havoc at busy locations such as restaurants, temples, buses, or trains if the ransom was not met.Promptly responding to the situation, authorities have initiated a case and launched a thorough investigation into the matter. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar addressed the threat, stating, We dont know whether it is bogus, fraud, true, false, or blackmailer. We have sent it to our police officers. They are on the job.The unsettling development comes in the wake of an improvised explosive device (IED) blast at the popular Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru on March 1, resulting in at least 10 injuries. The Bengaluru Police had previously registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Substances Act in connection with the cafe explosion.Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar acknowledged the ongoing investigation into the cafe blast, remarking, It was a low-intensity blast. A youth came and kept a small bag which exploded after an hour. About 10 people received injuries. 7-8 teams have been formed to probe the incident.State Home Minister G Parameshwara urged cooperation and non-politicization of the issue, stating, We are continuing our investigation. 8 teams have been formed, and all are working in different directions and looking at different aspects. I also appeal to the opposition to cooperate with us and not to make this a political issue.
