A group purporting to represent Terrorizers 111 sent an explosive email threatening to unleash a bloodbath, causing 24 airports and terminals nationwide to be placed on high alert with increased anti-sabotage screening and strengthened security cordons. The email also rattled Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) at several locations. It was sent to the general manager of East Central Railways from the address [email protected] Top cyber security and IT agencies have initiated tracking the source of the ‘gmail’, which appeared to have originated in the dark web and was sent as a ‘spoof’.
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Following the email sent at 9:27 am on Monday, security and intelligence agencies nationwide activated their operations. Upon receiving alerts from the office of the senior airport director and chief operating officer of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, MA Abid Ruhi, Nagpur city police CP Ravinder Singal and his team promptly arrived at the airport. Separate bomb detection and disposal squads were mobilized into action.
What Did Authorities Say About Terrorizers 111?
The email, which specifically targeted airports, stated, “We will ensure that blood will shatter (sic) everywhere, we want to cause as many fatalities as possible. In the email, which mentioned airports as potential targets for terror, was also sent to various organizations including CISF, a bank, a business group, an Andaman-based holiday group, among others, stating, “Terrorizers 111 group is responsible for this massacre.” The email also asserted, “I successfully planted the bomb without being detected.” Three improvised explosive devices were placed on a few ‘airplanes,’ and they will ‘detonate’ in a few hours.”
A senior security official stated that the email seemed more like mischief than a genuine terror threat. “We increased security measures and thoroughly checked the entire airport premises, its surroundings, and access passages using anti-sabotage and bomb disposal squads,” said the official, noting that nothing suspicious has been found at Nagpur airport so far.
The Maharashtra anti-terrorist squad, state and central intelligence agencies, CISF, and other departments gathered at the airport to conduct security drills and practice anti-sabotage protocols. “We will keep airports on ‘high alert’ for the next few days,” stated a senior official. A prominent business group was among those that received the email. Additionally, a bank, a state NRI wing, a private airlines company, and a newspaper publication were also recipients. The same email was sent to CISF units at Agartala, Gaya, Imphal, Srinagar, and Varanasi.
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