Bomb threat at Jaipur’s SMS Hospital triggers panic, probe underway

JAIPUR: Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital received a bomb threat on Wednesday, triggering panic among patients, staff, and visitors. Acting swiftly, police teams, bomb disposal squads, dog squads, and Civil Defence personnel rushed to the site and launched an extensive search operation across the hospital campus.

Officials said that panic gripped SMS Hospital after the hospital received a bomb threat message demanding Rs 40 crore.

The threatening message was reportedly received at the Abhay Command Centre, warning that the hospital would be blown up if the money was not paid.

Following the alert, police and multiple investigative agencies immediately launched a large-scale security operation at the hospital premises. Teams from the police, fire brigade, and dog squad rushed to the spot, and an intensive search operation is currently underway across the hospital campus. All suspicious objects and areas are being thoroughly checked by security personnel. Authorities are investigating the source of the threat message while maintaining heightened security at the hospital. After a thorough inspection, authorities did not find any suspicious objects.

However, the incident once again exposed the growing challenge posed by repeated hoax threats across the state. Dr Mrinal Joshi, Superintendent, SMS Hospital, Jaipur, said, "A threat to bomb the hospital was received at the Police Control Room. Following this, the police and other teams conducted a search of the hospital premises; however, no suspicious objects were found. The police are investigating the matter."

Rajasthan authorities have remained on heightened alert in recent months due to a series of bomb threats targeting key public institutions and landmarks. Earlier, similar threats were issued against the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, the Rajasthan High Court, schools, airports, and court-collectorate complexes.