Mohali, February 17, 2026 (Udaipur Kiran): The Bhagwant Mann-admitted Fortis Hospital Mohali received a bomb threat at 1:11 PM on Tuesday, triggering a massive security response. The threat email claimed that the Punjab Chief Minister had been infected with polonium and warned of dire consequences.
According to officials, the email alleged that the Chief Minister had been contaminated with polonium and threatened that if he survived, he would meet a fate similar to that of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, who was killed in a bomb blast at the Chandigarh Secretariat.
Security Tightened, Bomb Squads Deployed
Following the threat, Punjab Police and intelligence agencies went on high alert. The hospital has been cordoned off from all sides, and five bomb disposal squads have been deployed at the site.
Mohali SP Dilpreet Singh stated that there is currently no plan to shift the Chief Minister to another hospital. Police teams assigned to the CM’s security are on alert.
Apart from the hospital, 16 schools in Mohali also received similar threat emails. Authorities declared a holiday in these schools as a precautionary measure.
CM’s Health Timeline
The Chief Minister was first admitted to the Mohali hospital on Sunday due to high blood pressure. He was discharged on Monday and attended an anti-drug rally in Moga. However, after experiencing breathing difficulties, he was re-admitted to the hospital around 5 PM on Monday.
Content of the Threat Email
The email, reportedly sent through Gmail under the name “Hunter Farley,” referred to Punjab as Khalistan and urged parents to keep their children at home and schools closed in Mohali. It claimed the threat was retaliation for alleged encounters against those linked to a Khalistan referendum. The message ended with the name “Khalistan National Army” and mentioned individuals including Engineer Gurnakh Singh, Rukan Shahwala, Dr. Gurnirveer Singh, and Khan Rajada.
Police said similar bomb threats had earlier been issued to schools in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Mohali and Chandigarh, but those turned out to be hoaxes. However, officials are treating the present threat with seriousness due to the involvement of the Chief Minister.
What Is Polonium-210?
Polonium-210 is considered one of the most lethal radioactive substances. It emits alpha radiation and is extremely toxic. If it enters the human body through ingestion or inhalation, it can severely damage internal organs and DNA.
Early symptoms may include vomiting and loose motion. There is no known antidote to neutralise its effects.
Authorities continue to investigate the source of the email while maintaining heightened security at the hospital and other sensitive locations.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
