Haryana Civil Secretariat Evacuated After Bomb Threat, Turns Out to Be Hoax

Panic gripped the Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh on Friday afternoon after a bomb threat was received via email, prompting an immediate evacuation of the entire nine-storey building. The security alert, issued by the Haryana CID, triggered a massive response from law enforcement and emergency services.

Officials confirmed that personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Chandigarh Police swiftly cordoned off the area and initiated a thorough search operation. The bomb threat was taken seriously, given the sensitive nature of the location and its proximity to key government offices, including the residence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.

Chandigarh Deputy Superintendent of Police Udaypal Singh said, “The Haryana Civil Secretariat has been evacuated. Announcements were made by the CISF and Chandigarh Police, directing everyone inside to vacate the premises immediately.”

As the search intensified, specialized teams including the bomb disposal squad, fire brigade, quick reaction units, ambulance services, and a dog squad were deployed on site. The CISF, already posted round-the-clock at the secretariat, played a crucial role in managing the situation with precision and calm.

Adding to the concern, this incident follows a similar hoax threat received just last week. On May 22, the Punjab and Haryana High Court was evacuated after receiving a bomb threat email, which later turned out to be false. Authorities suspect a possible link between the two cases and are investigating the source of the emails.

Although the threat was eventually confirmed to be a hoax, the swift and coordinated response of the security agencies ensured the safety of all personnel and reinforced public confidence in emergency protocols.

Police have launched a detailed probe to trace the origin of the threat and determine whether it was part of a broader attempt to disrupt governmental functioning or cause public panic. Meanwhile, normalcy at the secretariat was restored after the building was declared safe.

This incident has once again raised concerns over the rising frequency of hoax threats and their potential to disrupt public order and essential services. Security has been further tightened around key government establishments in the region as a precautionary measure.