Creating Fear: Fake Threats To Politicians And Stars Rise
NEW DELHI-Indian intelligence agencies are closely monitoring a reported rise in hoax threats across the country, with officials warning that celebrities and politicians could increasingly become targets.
The threats, which dominated headlines last year, declined significantly after security agencies took action. At the time, airlines and schools were among the main targets. Airlines suffered substantial losses as several flights were grounded before being cleared to operate, while threats targeting schools caused psychological distress among students, parents and teachers.
An Intelligence Bureau (IB) official said there were indications that such threats could rise again, this time with a greater focus on celebrities and political figures.
“Following the Tiger Shroff shooting incident, there is a great deal of panic among the celebrities. The ISI (Inter Services Intelligence) finds this an opportune time to capitalize on that sentiment and increase the number of these hoax threats with a particular focus on film personalities,” the official said.
Another intelligence official cautioned that no threat could be dismissed without verification. Security agencies must investigate each case and rule out a genuine danger before declaring it a hoax.
The official said the objective was to create psychological distress and spread fear in society.
Recent bomb threats targeting actor Amitabh Bachchan and singer Diljit Dosanjh were cited as examples of the trend. Although both threats were declared hoaxes, they caused alarm and required security agencies to investigate and assess the risks.
The official said such threats were not limited to celebrities and politicians. Those behind them could also target locations where previous incidents of violence had already created fear, further heightening public anxiety and leaving residents feeling insecure.
According to an intelligence official, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) operates a dedicated wing for psychological operations in India. The official alleged that hoax threats form part of these efforts to exploit existing public fears and intensify anxiety. Such operations are relatively easy to carry out and cost-effective, the official added.
The official further alleged that ISI handlers recruit young people, including boys, by offering small payments, sometimes as little as Rs 500. They are then tasked with issuing threats by writing messages on pieces of paper and leaving them outside the homes or offices of celebrities and politicians.
Security agencies have advised the public not to panic and to report threats immediately rather than ignore them. Prompt reporting allows authorities to investigate, assess the risk and determine whether a threat is genuine or a hoax. (IANS)
