It started as just another school day for thousands of children in Delhi. Backpacks were packed, uniforms were ironed, and parents waved goodbye with sleepy smiles. But what unfolded next turned a normal Friday morning into a chilling ordeal—one that sent waves of panic through classrooms and homes across the city.
Over 45 schools in Delhi received bomb threats today. That’s not a typo. Over 45 schools—nurseries, senior secondary, public and international institutions—became the center of fear, uncertainty, and chaos.
Students were hurriedly evacuated. Fire trucks and bomb squads swarmed school entrances. Sirens replaced the usual school bell. Some children clung to their teachers, others tried to call their parents in fear. It was not a drill. For the fourth time this week, Delhi was gripped by a wave of threats that seemed to show no sign of stopping.
Schools affected span across nearly every corner of the city—from Dwarka to Rohini, South Delhi to Pitampura, with names like St. Thomas, GD Goenka, Delhi Public School, Summerfield International, Amity, and even The British School. These are not just buildings; these are safe havens, second homes for our children. And today, they were anything but safe.
Parents rushed to school gates, hearts pounding, desperate for answers. The trauma, especially for the younger kids, is unimaginable. Imagine being seven years old and seeing bomb squads walk through your classroom. Imagine being a parent waiting outside not knowing what’s going on inside.
Delhi Police, bomb disposal units, fire brigades, and dog squads responded quickly. Search operations and evacuations were carried out with urgency. So far, no bombs have been found, but the emotional damage is already deep.
This surge in threats has drawn sharp criticism from leaders like Atishi, former Delhi Chief Minister. She condemned the lack of security, stating, “More than 20 schools have received bomb threats today! Think of the trauma that children, parents and teachers would be going through… shocking!”
On Thursday, mock drills were conducted across 10 locations, a step forward—but clearly not enough.
Our children deserve better. Our schools deserve to be sacred spaces of learning, not targets of fear.
Delhi must act. And fast.
