Threat calls jolt temple in Tirupati, UP hotels

TIRUPATI/LUCKNOW: A fresh wave of hoax bomb threats rattled authorities Sunday, with the temple city of Tirupati and nine prominent hotels in upscale localities of Lucknow being the latest targets. No explosives were found, but security has been stepped up as a precautionary measure.

In Tirupati, authorities mobilised bomb disposal units and dog squads to conduct thorough inspections following threatening emails sent to a temple under Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and two prominent hotels in the city. In Lucknow, a similar email warned of explosive devices hidden in black bags across nine hotels. The sender threatened mass casualties if any attempt was made to defuse the bombs. Police launched an investigation to trace the email's origin, while bomb disposal and dog squads cleared the targeted hotels.