Mumbai on high alert after threat of terrorist attack during Ganesh festival

Mumbai: The Mumbai police have heightened security after receiving a threat message claiming that 14 terrorists had entered the city with 400 kg of RDX and planted the explosives in vehicles, an official said on Friday.

The message was received on the traffic police control room’s WhatsApp helpline on Thursday, as security arrangements were underway for Anant Chaturthi, the 10th day of the Ganesh festival, according to PTI. 

The official said that the Crime Branch has launched an investigation into the threat, and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and other agencies have also been informed. He added that the sender mentioned the name of an organisation called 'Lashkar-e-Jihadi' in the threat message.

The sender claimed that 14 terrorists had entered the city and planted 400 kg of RDX in 34 vehicles for blasts, which will "shake the country", he said.

Mumbai is celebrating the 10-day Ganesh festival, and police are making security arrangements for lakhs who will throng the city's streets on the final day, on Saturday. While investigating the source of the message, the police are taking precautions to prevent untoward incidents in the city.

The official said security has been beefed up at key locations and combing operations are being conducted at different places. The police have also appealed to Mumbaikars not to believe in rumours and report any suspicious activity, he said.