Mumbai Police is investigating a bomb threat concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and many strategic locations across India.
It was delivered through WhatsApp to a Mumbai traffic police helpline and shockingly included mentions of a bomb explosion, the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence), and 20 sleeper cells, allegedly activated to target high-profile individuals and locations.
The message, received in an undisclosed form, claims that sleeper cells from the ISI have been activated to execute a terror plot; and PM Modi has once again been mentioned as a target.
It included locations like Mumbai, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, giving the impression that coordinated attacks are imminent.
The sender of the message, who used a Pakistani number, mentioned that the “code word” for the mission would soon be revealed.
Mumbai Police, witnessing a coordination with Pune Police, have started an intense investigation in an effort to verify the authenticity of the claims.
The police have determined the threatening WhatsApp message originated from a Pakistani number, which raises the question of the involvement of non-State actors.
Investigators have indicated, however, that immediate evidence proving the place of the sender or the sender itself does not cross with national boundaries.
Security in these locations is heightened, and the special attention is done toward critical infrastructures, government establishments, and crowded public spaces.
Bomb disposal squads, anti-terror units, and intelligence agencies were working closely to neutralize the possible threat.
The police have not, as yet, been able to ascertain with any degree of conviction the linkage to any particular terror group; however, investigations are ongoing.
The officials have reminded the citizens to not panic and yet remain vigilant. Public safety assurance, through the formal release, attested to the fact that the authorities have taken the necessary steps towards safe and effective threat neutralization.
Citizens have also been requested by Mumbai Police to inform them about any suspicious activities immediately.
This has raised further alarm bells about the use of encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp by anti-national elements.
Recent hoax messages and fake bomb threats had already ensured that the law enforcement agencies were always on red alert.
It’s not an isolated case. Similar messages and hoaxes have continued to enter Mumbai in the past, often causing panic and triggering the largest-scale responses from security agencies.
The authorities are taking this current case very seriously, given the specificity of the threats as well as the high-profile target.
Additional Measures and Updates
Increased security arrangements at airports, railway stations, and government buildings have been ramped up in Mumbai.
The authorities are also using cybercrime units to trace the digital trails left behind by the sender. The Ministry of Home Affairs is said to have been in close coordination with local agencies for a nationwide alert.
Experts call for enhanced global cooperation to avert threats of this kind, especially those that involve cross-border elements.
