Email threatens to blow up India TV office

NEW DELHI: The Hindi news channel India TV on Thursday received an email threat to blow up its office in Noida, in Uttar Pradesh on the outskirts of the capital.   

Taking the threat seriously, the police conducted intensive searches at the channel's office. Channel employees said the mail was forwarded to security agencies and necessary action was being taken.

The mail, sent from an email-id alarbi_gujarat@yahoo.com, claimed: “In the name of beloved Allah, today (Thursday) we will explode your office at 20:00.”

“Tumne hamare khilaaf bahut bola hai. Hum yeh jung jeet ke rahenge. Hume rok sako to rok lo...!!! (You have spoken a lot about us. We will win this fight. Stop us if you can),” it went on to say.

On Wednesday, the Japanese embassy in Delhi's Chankyapuri area received an email threatening blasts in the crowded Sarojini Nagar market nearby. The embassy forwarded the email to Delhi Police.

Said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Alok Kumar: “We are investigating the matter and a breakthrough will be achieved soon. We are also looking into the email threat  to India TV.”

He said there was a spurt in hoax calls, SMSes and email threats in the last one week, particularly after the back-to-back serial bombings in Bangalore and Ahmedabad. At least 50 people were killed in 21 blasts in the Gujarat city.

“We have witnessed a similar trend after the Jaipur blasts in May this year. Some mischievous people send such threat messages to create panic,” Kumar said.  
 
Security in the national capital has been further intensified.

Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said nearly 2,500 trainees have been deployed in  crowded markets and other areas.