The Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat was evacuated on Thursday morning after a threatening email warned of a possible explosion. The alert was triggered when the message was detected in the office of the National Informatics Centre.

High Alert and Immediate Response

The secretariat was immediately put on high alert. Apart from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which guards the building, Chandigarh Police, its bomb squad, and the fire brigade were deployed to the site. Both the Punjab Police and Haryana Police coordinated to ensure a swift evacuation.

Officials reported that the email originated from an address belonging to one ‘Michael Gill’. By the time security staff identified the message shortly after 9 AM, several employees had already entered the building. All personnel were safely evacuated by 10 AM, and authorities began a thorough search of the premises.

Threat Targeted Punjab Government

The sender threatened Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and claimed to be a Khalistani supporter. The message also warned the Punjab government against conducting police encounters.

Key Highlights

• Punjab and Haryana Secretariat evacuated after email threat.

• Security agencies deployed: CISF, Chandigarh Police, Bomb Squad, Fire Brigade.

• Threat claimed by email sender ‘Michael Gill’, allegedly a Khalistani supporter.

• Employees safely evacuated; premises under thorough search.

Authorities have urged employees and the public to remain cautious while investigations continue.