Did Mumbai Airport and Taj Hotel Receive Bomb Threats Linked to Afzal Guru?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mumbai Airport and Taj Mahal Hotel received bomb threats.
- The threats reference Afzal Guru and seek retaliation.
- Security measures have been intensified in response.
- Past incidents of terrorism are making authorities cautious.
- Investigations are active with no explosives found yet.
Mumbai, May 17 (NationPress) Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and the renowned Taj Mahal Hotel, a significant site during the 26/11 terror attacks, have been targeted with new bomb threats on Saturday, leading to increased security protocols throughout the city.
The threat was communicated through an email directed at the Mumbai Airport Police, referencing the execution of terrorist Afzal Guru and warning of imminent bombings at both prominent locations.
Officials reported that the email alleged the bombings would be executed in retaliation for what was labeled as the "injustice" of Guru's execution, also mentioning another executed convict, S Shankar. A comprehensive investigation has been initiated, with security heightened at both the airport and the hotel. Bomb detection and disposal teams have been activated, and searches are currently ongoing.
This incident marks yet another instance of bomb threats aimed at Mumbai Airport. However, the mention of Afzal Guru and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, which was a focal point during the 26/11 attacks, has particularly alarmed authorities.
The content of the email has resurrected distressing memories from the 2008 terror siege when armed militants targeted various landmarks, including the Taj hotels.
Previously, on May 9, a bomb threat was received concerning Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, creating a security scare. That email claimed a bomb had been concealed on the hospital grounds and directed immediate evacuation of patients. Ultimately, it was discovered to be a hoax.
Afzal Guru, from Jammu and Kashmir, was condemned for his involvement in the December 13, 2001 assault on the Indian Parliament. He was accused of providing logistical support to the terrorists and was executed in 2013. His execution remains a debated topic, with mixed opinions regarding the legitimacy of his trial and consequent hanging.
Although Mumbai Police have faced numerous such threats in the past—many of which were proven to be false—this incident is being approached with extreme seriousness due to the significance of the targeted locations.
Investigations are in progress, and authorities are currently tracing the source of the email. As of now, no explosives have been discovered, and further updates are anticipated.