Mumbai on High Alert After Lashkar-e-Jihadi Bomb Threat

Bomb Threat Amid Ganesh Visarjan Festivities

Mumbai Police announced a high alert on Friday after receiving a chilling threat from an organization called Lashkar-e-Jihadi. The caller claimed that 34 “human bombs” carrying 400 kg of RDX had been planted across the city in 34 vehicles to cause blasts capable of “shaking the entire city.”

The timing of the threat coincided with the Ganesh Visarjan processions on the eve of Anant Chaturdashi, when lakhs of devotees gather across Mumbai for the immersion of idols, heightening public safety concerns.

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Details of the Threat Call

The threat call was received on the traffic police helpline, where the caller further claimed that the planned explosions would kill one crore people. Following the message, police across Maharashtra intensified security checks and monitoring in sensitive locations.

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Recent Pattern of Hoax Threats in Mumbai

This latest development follows a series of bomb threat hoaxes in Mumbai over the past few months:

• September & August 2025: ISKCON Temple in Girgaon received bomb threat emails, both of which turned out to be hoaxes after thorough searches by the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS).

• July 25, 2025: Mumbai Police received a threat call targeting Terminal 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), which also proved baseless after inspections.

• August 2025: A man in Thane’s Kalwa railway station was arrested for making a hoax bomb call.

These recurring false alarms have forced authorities to allocate significant resources to verify threats, often during critical public gatherings.

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Arrest of Noida Astrologer Linked to Threat

In a swift follow-up, police identified and arrested Ashwini Kumar, a resident of Noida originally from Patliputra, Patna. He was detained late Friday night and transferred to Mumbai for further investigation.

Background of the Accused

• Kumar had been residing in Noida for the past five years, working as an astrologer.

• He had a history of legal troubles, including a three-month jail term in 2023 after his friend Firoz filed a case against him at the Phulwari Sharif police station in Patna.

• According to police, Kumar was married but separated due to domestic disputes. His father, Suresh Kumar, is a retired official from the education department.

Items Seized

During the arrest, police recovered:

• 7 mobile phones

• 3 SIM cards

• 6 memory card holders

• 2 digital cards

• 4 SIM card holders

• 1 memory card holder

These materials are now being examined for links to the threatening calls and possible connections with others.

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Police Response and Security Measures

Noida additional deputy commissioner of police Sumit Shukla confirmed Kumar’s arrest and transfer to Mumbai. Authorities emphasized that, given the sensitive timing during Ganesh Chaturthi immersions, security arrangements have been bolstered citywide to ensure public safety.

The Mumbai Police, though investigating the credibility of the threat, are treating the matter with utmost seriousness given the scale of the claim and the potential risks involved.

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Conclusion: A City on Edge

While investigations continue, the series of recent hoax calls coupled with this latest Lashkar-e-Jihadi threat underline the challenges faced by law enforcement in balancing vigilance with public reassurance.

For Mumbai, a city that has lived through terror in the past, every threat—whether real or fake—strikes a deep chord. As Ganesh Visarjan festivities conclude, the police remain on high alert, determined to protect the city and its citizens.

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