Ayodhya Ram Temple Bomb Threat: How a Late-Night Call Triggered a Security Lockdown on Republic Day

A bomb threat targeting the Ram Temple in Ayodhya sent shockwaves through the holy town late Saturday night, triggering a swift security response and raising concerns just days ahead of Republic Day. The

threat, received at around 10.30 pm through a call to Dial 112, claimed as per reports that a bomb blast would take place at the Ram Temple, one of the country’s most heavily guarded religious sites.Within minutes of the alert, police and security agencies swung into action. The normally calm streets around the Ram Temple complex saw intensified movement as patrols were stepped up and security checkpoints tightened. Entry and exit points across Ramnagari were closely monitored, while bomb disposal squads and specialised teams were placed on standby as a precaution.Officials as per a report by Times Of India, said extensive checks were carried out across the temple premises and surrounding areas to rule out any immediate danger. No explosive or suspicious material was found during the searches.

Caller Detained, Probe Launched

Police later detained the person who made the threat, identifying him as a resident of Gonda district. SSP and DIG of Ayodhya, Gaurav Grover, told TOI that preliminary findings pointed to mental health issues, though the investigation was ongoing."The youth Ram Karan was in a drunken state and was undergoing mental treatment for the three years," the officer said as quoted by TOI.Senior officials stressed that the inquiry was still at an early stage. Ayodhya police, along with intelligence agencies, are jointly questioning the detained man to determine his motive and to verify whether the call had any deeper security implications."The matter is being thoroughly investigated. There is no confirmation of any explosive or suspicious material on the temple premises," a police official said.Authorities underlined that no conclusion would be drawn until a full assessment was completed, particularly given the sensitive nature of the site and the timing of the threat.

Heightened Vigil Ahead of Republic Day

The incident comes amid already tight security arrangements in Ayodhya ahead of Republic Day, when vigilance levels are traditionally raised across the country. Police appealed to residents and pilgrims to remain calm and avoid spreading rumours, assuring that the security of the Ram Temple and the city remained a top priority.The latest alert follows another security scare at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex earlier this month. Around two weeks ago, security personnel detained a 55-year-old man from Kashmir after he allegedly attempted to offer namaz near a restricted area close to the Sita Rasoi, along the southern circumambulatory corridor. The man, identified as Abu Ahmad Sheikh, was later released after questioning.