In a disturbing turn of events, two prominent cricket stadiums in India, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur and the Holkar Stadium in Indore, have received bomb threats on Monday, sparking emergency responses and heightened security measures. The threats come amidst ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, raising concerns about the safety of sporting venues.
The first threat was reported at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur when an email was received by the official account of the Rajasthan State Sports Council. Authorities swiftly mobilized, evacuating the stadium and deploying bomb disposal and dog squads to investigate the threat. The police took the threat seriously, and the investigation is currently underway.
Investigation Underway in Jaipur
Lalit Sharma, the Additional Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident, stating that the threat was received through the official email ID of the Rajasthan State Sports Council. “The mail was sent to the official email ID of the Sports Council. Acting on this, the stadium was vacated. The Bomb Disposal Squad, with the help of the Dog Squad, is conducting an investigation,” Sharma told ANI.
This incident marks the second bomb threat in less than two weeks at the iconic stadium, which has hosted numerous international and IPL matches. Last week, in the wake of rising India-Pakistan tensions, the venue was evacuated following another similar threat.
Neeraj A Pawan, President of the Rajasthan State Sports Council, spoke to ANI, confirming the evacuation. “We received a bomb threat through email. The mail was then sent to the Police Commissioner. The bomb disposal squad and frisking team have arrived here. The investigation is underway,” he said.
Heightened Security in Jaipur
Following the threat, security around the stadium has been ramped up, with police deployed in large numbers to ensure the safety of the area. The ongoing investigation aims to determine the credibility of the threat and if any dangerous materials were involved.
Indore’s Holkar Stadium Also Targeted
Meanwhile, in Indore, a similar threat was reported less than an hour after the Jaipur scare. Officials at the Holkar Stadium, located in Madhya Pradesh, received an email threatening to blow up the venue. Police quickly evacuated the stadium, and bomb disposal units were dispatched to investigate. This is the second bomb threat at the Holkar Stadium in just three days, prompting concerns about the security of sports venues in India.
Jitendra Singh Yadav, in charge of the Tukoganj police station, confirmed the threat to PTI. “We received information from the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) office that they had received an email threatening to blow up the Holkar Stadium. We have evacuated the premises, and the investigation is underway to ascertain if this is a hoax,” Yadav said.
Security Measures Tightened Across Stadiums
This bomb threat follows a troubling pattern of similar incidents at other major Indian stadiums. Earlier in April, Kolkata’s Eden Gardens was the target of a bomb threat during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. The email, traced to an unknown sender, was found in the inbox of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). Although no explosive device was found, the incident prompted immediate security protocols to be implemented at the stadium.
The recent spate of threats has raised serious concerns regarding the security of cricket stadiums in India, particularly during times of heightened national tensions. Authorities are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of spectators, players, and staff at the venues.
As investigations continue, both Jaipur and Indore’s cricket stadiums remain under heavy surveillance, with police forces and bomb disposal teams on high alert. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant as they work to uncover the source and motive behind the threats.
Sources By Agencies