Purushottam Express delayed UP Tundla stops by more than three hours following bomb scare

The Puri-New Delhi-Purushottam Express was delayed after it stopped for more than three hours at Tundla railway station in Uttar Pradesh early on Thursday. The train was stopped after a security alert went out about suspected terrorists who were said to be traveling with explosives. According to officials, the warning was received from an X user (formerly Twitter).

However, the information turned out to be a hoax as nothing “suspicious” was found after intensive checks between around 2.30 am and 6 am, officials told news agency PTI.

“Around 2.30 am, all passengers in all coaches were woken up and their luggage was thoroughly checked using metal detectors and dog squads, but nothing was found,” a railway official from Prayagraj Rail Division said.

“We received information from an X-Handle that some suspected terrorists were traveling in the train with explosives which they would plant in the Delhi-Leh Air India flight. We took action but it turned out to be a hoax,” he added.

The hoax caused significant disruption, but authorities ensured all safety protocols were followed. The passengers were released after no suspicious activity was detected.

Starting in late April this year, emails and phone calls containing fake bomb threats started arriving in many establishments, including schools, colleges, hotels and airports across India. Most of these bomb threats targeted organizations in Delhi.