Email threat to DRDO’s GTRE lab in Bengaluru claims 14 IEDs planted through drones

BENGALURU: An anonymous email threatening a bomb attack at the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab in CV Raman Nagar here, was received on March 5. The premises were searched thoroughly, and it was declared a hoax. GTRE specialises in the design, development, and testing of advanced gas-turbine engines for military aircraft and marine applications.According to the complaint filed by the divisional head at GTRE, Lt Col Sunny Rathee, the threat was received around 4.25am on March 5 from the email ID ‘ajitham_kudumba@outlook.com' to the official email ID of GTRE, ‘director.gtre@gov.in'."The message claimed that 14 EXP (Expl. Formed Projectile) IEDs filled with cyanide gas had been planted inside the GTRE premises and warned that a possible blast could cause damage within a 1.75-km radius, asking authorities to evacuate staff by 11am to avoid casualties and claiming that drones were used to plant the 14 devices," said police.The message also contained references to extremist groups and individuals, along with several unverified claims. "In 1954, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) No. 14 Squadron, now called ‘Tail Choppers', went on a mission to then East Pak (Dhaka). The LTTE-Pak ISI nexus was solemnised by the DMK govt and Udhayanidhi was honey-trapped using Fathima Syed. She is a direct descendant of Nabigal," the message claimed. It further stated that ‘TOSIS cells are in contact with Dr Ezhilan Naganathan (his Ireland visa was banned for LTTE links) Kudumba'. The email, however, doesn't elaborate what TOSIS stood for.Following the threatening email, the complainant approached police, who have initiated an inquiry to trace the origin of the email and verify the threat.A senior officer said the threat was a hoax and part of a larger attempt to create panic. The email was noticed a couple of hours after it was sent. The bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS) was pressed into operation, and all the staff were evacuated from the premises. They did not find any explosives, so it was declared a hoax.A case has been registered under Section 66F of the Information Technology Act (punishment for cyber terrorism) at Byappanahalli police station, the officer added.