JAIPUR: Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium (SMS Stadium) has once again received a bomb threat, triggering panic and a high-level security response.
The threatening email was sent to the official ID of the Rajasthan State Sports Council, prompting authorities to immediately evacuate the stadium and launch a search operation.
Teams from the police, Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), bomb disposal unit, and dog squad quickly arrived at the stadium, which is the sole venue for all IPL matches in Rajasthan. Security personnel thoroughly searched the stadium premises to ensure there was no explosive device.
This is the second such threat in recent days. On May 8, a similar email was received from a Pakistani IP address, warning that the stadium would be bombed as part of “Operation Sindoor”. Following that incident, the Rajasthan State Sports Council alerted police officials, and a full-scale search operation was carried out. The Director General of Cyber Crime was also informed about the email originating from a foreign IP.
In light of the recent threat, authorities have suspended all player activities inside the stadium. Rajasthan State Sports Council President Neeraj K Pawan confirmed the contents of the email, stating that it claimed a bomb had already been successfully planted in the stadium and a major explosion would occur soon.
Senior police officials were immediately informed, and the stadium was cleared of all staff and visitors. A comprehensive security sweep is currently underway.
Border tension intensifies in Jaisalmer
Meanwhile, despite an official ceasefire, the atmosphere along the India-Pakistan border remains tense. Increased activity of Pakistani drones has been reported, particularly in the border villages of Jaisalmer, which remain on high alert.
Residents are staying vigilant even before receiving formal advisories from the administration. During the nights, lights are kept off, and mobile phone usage is restricted to avoid detection.
In the past three days, villagers have reported hearing several loud explosions, according to sources. Many homes have developed cracks, suspected to be caused by shockwaves or vibrations from nearby blasts.
Residents say villages near areas of military movement face the highest risk, as these are often targeted by Pakistani forces. Locals recall the 1971 war, during which bombs were dropped in the region. For many, the sound of explosions, whether from military drills or heightened border activity, has become a part of daily life.
Jaipur traders take preventive steps
In a proactive measure, Jaipur traders have decided to install emergency sirens in the city’s busy marketplaces. The sirens, funded and set up by the traders themselves, will be used to alert the public swiftly in case of any emergency or security threat. The district administration has been informed and will oversee the monitoring of the system.
One siren will be installed in each major market area. Traders say the goal is to prevent panic by giving people time to take immediate safety measures.
“If any emergency arises in the city, these sirens can help alert people before chaos erupts,” said a representative from the traders' association.