PANAJI: The regional passport office in Panaji experienced some anxious moments after an anonymous email claimed that an explosive device was placed at Passport Bhavan. After a thorough search of the premises, the email turned out to be a hoax.The passport office received an email on its official email account from a personal email account, stating that there would be a blast and asking officials to evacuate innocent members of the public by around 11 am or face the consequences. The email mentioned Tamil LTT groups, police said.After the email, many people who came to apply for or renew their passports were evacuated from the office, police said.The Anti-terrorist Squad (ATS), the bomb detection and disposal squad, paramedics, fire and emergency services personnel, and Panaji police were present at the passport office during the search operation.Superintendent of Police (SP) (North Goa) Harish Madkaikar said that upon receiving the information, immediate action was taken as per Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for such threats.“A coordinated response was initiated, involving the bomb disposal squad, ATS, and staff from North Goa district. The teams swiftly reached the passport office and conducted a comprehensive search and investigation. After a meticulous search of the premises, no explosive substances or suspicious materials were found, and the institution was declared safe. The email turned out to be a hoax,” Madkaikar said.
