BENGALURU: An anonymous email threatening a bomb attack at the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) facility in CV Raman Nagar, triggered a security alert on March 5. After a thorough search of the premises, authorities declared the threat a hoax.
GTRE is a key DRDO laboratory that focuses on the design, development and testing of advanced gas-turbine engines for military aircraft and marine platforms.
According to a complaint filed by GTRE divisional head Lt Col Sunny Rathee, the threatening email was received at around 4.25 am from the address “ajitham_kudumba@outlook.com” and sent to the lab’s official email ID.
Police said the message claimed that 14 explosively formed projectile (EFP) IEDs filled with cyanide gas had been planted inside the GTRE campus. It warned that a potential blast could cause destruction within a radius of about 1.75 kilometres and asked authorities to evacuate staff by 11 am to avoid casualties. The sender also alleged that drones had been used to plant the explosive devices.
The email included several references to extremist groups and individuals along with multiple unverified claims.
Following the alert, the GTRE administration informed the police, who immediately launched a security operation. The bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS) was deployed and the premises were evacuated as a precaution.
After an extensive search of the facility, no explosives were found and the threat was declared a hoax.
Police have registered a case under Section 66F of the Information Technology Act, which deals with cyber terrorism, at the Byappanahalli police station. Authorities have launched an investigation to trace the origin of the email and identify the sender.
A senior police officer said the message appeared to be an attempt to create panic and mislead authorities. Investigators are currently examining digital trails linked to the email.
