A chilling email received by Punjab Police this week has triggered high-level security alerts in and around Amritsar’s Golden Temple, after the anonymous message threatened the use of RDX explosives within the sacred premises. The temple, considered the spiritual nucleus of Sikhism and one of India’s most iconic places of worship, has now come under the protective cover of bomb disposal squads, intelligence surveillance, and rapid response units. Though no explosive device has yet been recovered, the gravity of the threat has cast a shadow over the city and rekindled painful memories of previous attacks that have scarred Punjab’s recent history.
The alert was issued late Monday evening, prompting an immediate sweep of the Golden Temple complex by Punjab Police, special operations teams, and bomb detection units. Security personnel cordoned off key entry points while temple authorities maintained public calm. By Tuesday morning, state officials confirmed that a formal FIR had been lodged, and investigations into the email’s source had begun with assistance from cybercrime experts and national intelligence agencies. The message, which reportedly referenced the use of RDX—a high-grade military explosive—has been deemed credible enough to warrant round-the-clock monitoring.
For Amritsar, and Punjab at large, the timing of the threat is particularly sensitive. Coming in the midst of an emotionally charged legislative session in Chandigarh over the anti-sacrilege bill and historical tensions still simmering in the background, such a threat has the potential to destabilize communal harmony. While authorities have appealed to the public to avoid panic and misinformation, they have also acknowledged the psychological weight this threat carries, especially given Punjab’s history with terrorism in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, in a statement issued Tuesday, described the threat as “cowardly and reprehensible,” vowing that “every individual involved in issuing or executing such threats will be tracked, exposed, and punished to the fullest extent of the law.” He added that his government is working closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs and national security agencies to coordinate intelligence-sharing and bolster on-ground readiness. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also briefed on the matter, indicating that the case has taken on national security dimensions.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages the daily functioning of the Golden Temple, has also responded with heightened internal security measures. Additional volunteers have been stationed at sensitive nodes within the complex, while CCTV surveillance is being reviewed with forensic detail. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami called for public restraint and reiterated the need for vigilance, noting that “the sanctity of the Harmandir Sahib must be preserved at all costs—both physically and spiritually.”
Locals in Amritsar have expressed both concern and defiance. Shopkeepers near the temple have voluntarily enhanced their own surveillance measures, while local religious bodies have begun nightly vigils. Many see this as more than a simple bomb threat—it’s an affront to a place that represents not just Sikh faith but also global heritage, attracting millions of visitors annually.
Cybersecurity analysts have pointed out that email-based threats of this nature are increasingly common, but the specificity of this one—and its mention of RDX—elevates its seriousness. The use of RDX in previous terror attacks, such as the 1993 Mumbai blasts and more recently in smaller seizures across border areas, makes any such reference alarming. Punjab Police are currently scanning regional intelligence inputs for cross-border links and have not ruled out the involvement of sleeper cells or external provocateurs.
Meanwhile, the broader implications of the threat are being discussed among political observers. Some suggest that such incidents, while potentially orchestrated by fringe elements, often succeed in rekindling deep-rooted insecurities and can be exploited by political actors for polarization. The Mann government is under pressure to not only respond decisively but to do so with sensitivity, ensuring that communal amity is preserved while operational credibility is demonstrated.
As the investigation continues and security remains at its highest alert around the Golden Temple, one truth stands out: Punjab’s wounds may have partially healed since the dark days of insurgency, but its soul remains vulnerable to the shadows of fear. Whether this threat proves real or hoax, its psychological impact is undeniable. In the face of fear, the resilience of Punjab’s people and the sanctity of its spiritual institutions are once again being tested.
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