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LUCKNOW: Investigators probing a widespread network of hoax bomb threats have recovered 1.7 million additional email IDs from electronic devices seized from Ankit Sankhwar, a Kanpur resident arrested for allegedly selling email accounts to buyers in Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) revealed that the email threats targeting actor Amitabh Bachchan’s Mumbai bungalow, Jalsa, and Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh’s proposed concert in Indore were sent from Bangladesh using email accounts sold by the accused.
Sankhwar was arrested by the ATS on October 28. At the time of his arrest, agencies disclosed that he had created the email IDs used to send bomb threats to locations in Noida, Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, and Diljit Dosanjh’s concert in Delhi. He had allegedly sold those accounts to individuals in Pakistan and Bangladesh, from where the threats originated. Initial searches of his mobile phone and systems had yielded 500,000 email IDs.
Forensic Recovery Uncovers Massive Database
According to ATS sources, a deeper forensic examination and data recovery of the seized laptops and electronic devices uncovered 1.7 million more email IDs. Investigating agencies stated that the operation was carried out on a massive scale, prompting an intensive probe into the network. Alongside the existing cases, authorities are also investigating the possible role of this network in a recent bomb threat sent to the Gwalior court complex.
Police Custody Remand to Trace Crypto Trail
The ATS is now preparing to take Sankhwar into police custody remand for further interrogation. Officials plan to extract details regarding the buyers of the email IDs, his foreign contacts, and cryptocurrency transactions linked to the sales. The agency will also determine how many locations across the country received threats using the sold accounts, who was behind them, and how many other associates were part of Sankhwar’s network.
Fresh Bomb Threats Trigger Alert in Mumbai
In a related incident, a bomb threat email sent on Thursday morning triggered a security alert in Mumbai. The email warned of explosions at multiple locations, including the Mumbai airport, the Mayor’s office, Amitabh Bachchan’s bungalow Jalsa, and a branch of the Punjab National Bank (PNB). According to an official, the email was sent at 10:52 AM to PNB’s Mumbai regional office, the Cuffe Parade local crime branch, and a bank branch in South Mumbai’s Zaveri Bazaar. The subject line threatened a blast at a PNB branch at 1:11 PM and mentioned the dates November 27 and December 31. The message also targeted several banks and the Mahalaxmi Stadium, while mentioning outfits named Khalistan and Khalistan National Army. Mumbai Police are investigating the authenticity of the threat and working to identify the sender.
