PANAJI (2 March 2026) — The Passport Bhavan in the Patto area of Goa’s capital, Panaji, received a bomb threat via email in the early hours of Monday morning. Following an extensive multi-agency search operation, the Goa Police declared the threat a hoax. The incident caused brief panic among applicants and staff, but operations resumed later in the day after the building was officially cleared.
Incident Timeline and Threat Details
The anonymous email was received on the passport office’s official account at approximately 4:00 AM on Monday.
- The Message: The email claimed an explosive device had been planted on the premises and warned of an imminent blast. It specifically instructed authorities to “please evacuate innocent public by 11 am” or face the consequences.
- Alleged Affiliation: According to the Panaji police, the email reportedly mentioned “Tamil LTT groups,” though investigators are currently treating this as a potential distractor used by the hoaxer.
Coordinated Emergency Response
Upon receiving the alert from passport officials, the North Goa district police initiated a coordinated response in line with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The search operation involved:
- Evacuation: Hundreds of applicants who had arrived for early morning appointments were asked to vacate the building.
- Specialised Units: Teams from the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) arrived on the scene.
- Thorough Inspection: Inspector Paresh Navelkar confirmed that every floor, including parking areas and office cabins, was meticulously checked using sniffer dogs and electronic scanners.
Current Status and Investigation
Superintendent of Police (North Goa) Harish Madkaikar confirmed that no suspicious materials or explosive substances were found. “Nothing suspicious was found, after which the office was declared safe to work,” added Inspector Navelkar.
This incident follows a series of similar hoax bomb threats targeting passport offices across India over the past week, including facilities in Surat, Kolkata, Pune, and Coimbatore. The Cyber Crime Cell of the Goa Police is now working to trace the personal email account used to send the threat. Authorities have noted that the email appears to be part of a larger, coordinated campaign of “digital mischief” intended to disrupt government services.
Sources
- The Times of India: “Bomb threat email sparks panic at Panaji passport office; search confirms hoax” (2 March 2026)
- Rediff News: “Goa Passport Office Bomb Threat: Authorities Confirm Hoax” (2 March 2026)
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “Passport Bhavan in Goa gets bomb threat email; cops declare it hoax” (2 March 2026)
- Goa Police: Official Briefing by SP Harish Madkaikar (2 March 2026)
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