Ten major hotels in Lucknow receive bomb threats demanding $55,000 ransom

On Sunday, at least ten major hotels in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, received bomb threats via email, which demanded a ransom of $55,000 (approximately Rs 4,624,288). The hotels targeted include prominent establishments such as the Marriott, Saraca, Piccadily, Comfort Vista, Fortune, Lemon Tree, Clark Awadh, Casa, Dayal Gateway, and Silvette. The threats were communicated through an alarming email that claimed explosives were hidden on hotel grounds.

The threatening email stated, "Bombs are hidden in black bags on the grounds of your hotel. I want $55,000, or I will detonate the explosives and blood will spread everywhere. Any attempt at defusing the bombs WILL detonate them." This explicit warning led hotel management to take immediate action by informing local authorities, which triggered a rapid response from law enforcement agencies.

In response to the threats, local police initiated investigations and mobilized bomb disposal units to assess the situation at the affected hotels. Security protocols were heightened, and teams of bomb detection dogs were deployed to search for any suspicious packages or explosives. Authorities emphasized the importance of ensuring guest safety while they worked to determine the legitimacy of the threats and trace the source of the emails.

This incident in Lucknow follows a similar occurrence just two days earlier, when three hotels in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, also received bomb threats. The Tirupati emails claimed that "international pressure" had increased due to the arrest of Jaffer Sadiq, suggesting that these threats might be linked to broader political or social issues. However, no direct correlation between the two incidents has been established.

The recent spate of bomb threats against hotels has raised concerns about security within the hospitality sector across India. Authorities are urging hotel operators to review and enhance their security measures to protect guests and staff. In light of previous incidents, such as a bomb threat to the Taj West End Hotel in Bengaluru last month, which was later deemed a hoax, officials are proceeding with caution.