A threatening email on 13th July claiming that bomb blasts would be carried out at railway stations in Jalandhar and Chandigarh on the day of the Prime Minister's visit was received. Security has been significantly tightened at Jalandhar Cantt Railway Station ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Punjab on July 17, when he is expected to inaugurate the redeveloped station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Heightened security
As part of the preparations, personnel from the Government Railway Police (GRP), Punjab Police, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and other security agencies have been deployed across the station. Security checks have been intensified, with passengers and their luggage being thoroughly screened and surveillance increased at all entry and exit points.
Officials at the Railway station
To review the security arrangements, Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia and Police Commissioner Satinder Singh visited Jalandhar Cantt Railway Station. The senior officials inspected the security deployment, monitored the preparedness of various agencies and reviewed arrangements being made ahead of the Prime Minister's inauguration programme.
However, both officials refrained from commenting on the bomb threat email. Speaking to the media, they said their visit was focused on reviewing the preparations and security measures related to the inauguration of the redeveloped railway station.
Bomb threat
The security review comes after several schools in Chandigarh and Mohali reportedly received a threatening email claiming that IED blasts would be carried out at multiple locations, including Jalandhar and Chandigarh railway stations, on July 17. The email also threatened the life of Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu and warned people against attending Prime Minister Modi's public event.
Security after the bomb threat
Following the threat, security agencies across Punjab and Chandigarh have been placed on high alert. Bomb disposal squads, dog squads and local police have stepped up security checks at sensitive locations, while intelligence agencies are working to trace the origin of the email and verify the credibility of the threat.
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the revamped Jalandhar Cantt Railway Station, which has been modernised under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme with upgraded passenger amenities, improved infrastructure and enhanced accessibility. Authorities have assured that elaborate security arrangements are in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the Prime Minister's visit, while investigations into the threat email continue.