Panic gripped CGO complex in Seminary Hills, on Friday, following a bomb threat on email. Normalcy returned after an intense search operation yielded no suspicious items. The threat was received via email around 10 am on Wednesday on the official account of the Controller of Explosives at the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). The message warned of an explosion at 2.15 pm using sulphur dioxide-based explosives. Sender of the email cited opposition to execution of 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab and arrest of Tamil Nadu whistleblower Savukku Shankar. The email also threatened to target the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s office. PESO officials, immediately, contacted Gittikhadan Police that sprang into action and deployed teams from the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, Anti-Terrorism Squad and intelligence agencies.

 

The local police staff cordoned off the premises. As news of the bomb threat spread, chaos ensued among employees of the various government departments housed in the complex. All official work came to a halt as the PESO office and surrounding buildings were combed thoroughly. The search concluded at 2.30 pm with no explosives or suspicious materials discovered. The police have heightened security around the complex. Meanwhile, cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the threatening email and identify the sender.