Diwali 2026 / Bomb threat puts Ayodhya, Varanasi and Mathura on high alert

Ayodhya, Nov 5: Security has been heightened across Ayodhya, Varanasi and Mathura after a bomb threat email was received by the Ayodhya court, warning of possible explosions at religious sites and schools between November 8 and November 27. Police, intelligence agencies and cyber teams have launched investigations to identify the sender and assess the credibility of the threat.

The email was reportedly received on the official account of the Ayodhya court at around 12:25 pm on Wednesday. The email warned of explosions at key religious establishments and educational institutions during the specified period. The message also referred to November 8 as a "Black Diwali" and allegedly contained pro-Khalistan references.

However, authorities have not yet established whether the threat is genuine.

Following the threat, Chief Judicial Magistrate Piyush Tripathi directed the police to strengthen security arrangements around the Ayodhya district court complex.

As per Ayodhya SSP, the court called for additional police deployment and regular anti-sabotage checks by bomb disposal squads and dog squads from November 8 to November 27. Police personnel from Ayodhya Kotwali and Cantt police stations also conducted searches across the court premises as part of the security exercise.

Investigators are also attempting to determine whether the message was intended to spread panic or indicated a genuine security threat.

Following the warning, security arrangements have been strengthened at several sensitive locations across the three cities.

In Ayodhya, additional surveillance is being maintained around the district court and religious establishments. In Mathura, police have increased monitoring around temples and other religious sites, while schools in Varanasi are also under heightened security surveillance.

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Patrolling has been intensified at crowded public places and other potentially vulnerable locations to prevent any untoward incident.

Authorities are focusing on preventive security measures, including additional police deployment, regular searches, increased patrolling and monitoring of sensitive public locations.

No confirmed explosive device or attack linked to the email has been reported so far. Security arrangements in Ayodhya are scheduled to remain strengthened from November 8 to November 27, while cyber teams continue efforts to trace the source of the threatening message.