Delhi: Caller threatens to blow up Metro stations

An anonymous caller threatening to blow up two Metro stations, including at the busy Rajiv Chowk in the heart of Delhi, on Sunday triggered a scare in the National Capital Region, prompting authorities to step up security at these installations.

Security personnel, including dog squads and bomb disposal squads conducted checks for about 90 minutes after the call was received at the Noida Police Control Room at around 1:25 pm, a senior police official said, adding it turned out to be a hoax.

However, Metro services were not affected by the bomb scare.

"The caller said 'Uttam Nagar and Rajiv Nagar (Chowk) Metro Station ko bacha sakte ho to bacha lo' (If you can, try and save Uttam Nagar and Rajiv Chowk metro stations). He said Rajiv Nagar instead of Rajiv Chowk. It was a male voice," the official said.

Noida Police informed the CISF, which is handling the Metro security and the Delhi Police.

Commando squads and Quick Reaction Teams were pressed into service. The CISF also deployed a passenger profiling team to check all those entering the Metro stations in the wake of the call.

"Anti-sabotage checks and profiling of suspicious people in and around the Metro has been done by the security staff at all important Metro stations," CISF spokesperson Rohit Katiyar said.

Security has been stepped up at the Metro stations.