Is the Mumbai bomb threat a legitimate threat or just another hoax?

Mumbai, Sep 5 (NationPress) The authorities in Mumbai are currently on heightened alert following a bomb threat attributed to an unidentified terror organization known as Lashkar-e-Jihadi. This warning emerged just before the Anant Chaturdarshi celebrations, according to officials on Friday. The threat indicated that 14 terrorists had infiltrated India, with plans to utilize approximately 400 kg of RDX for explosive attacks.

The anonymous caller ominously claimed that these explosives could potentially claim the lives of 1 crore individuals. Furthermore, it was alleged that the bombs have been hidden in 34 vehicles, poised to unleash chaos throughout the city.

The Mumbai Police have assured the public of their preparedness in confronting any threat, emphasizing that all necessary precautionary measures are already in place. During a recent press briefing, they confirmed that thorough inspections are being conducted in all areas, including parking lots and basements.

This bomb threat surfaces as the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities are set to conclude, with immersion rituals commencing on Friday. Hundreds of thousands partake in the visarjan across the metropolis.

The Lashkar-e-Jihadi remains an obscure entity, leading many to suspect that this call could be a mere hoax. Nonetheless, law enforcement agencies are exercising utmost diligence, considering the ongoing threats from terror groups based in Pakistan and Bangladesh that have been plotting significant attacks within India.

Over the past year, there has been a noticeable surge in the incidence of hoax bomb threats across the nation. For instance, an individual was apprehended recently for making a false bomb threat regarding a railway station in Thane, Maharashtra.

In August, the ISKCON Temple in Girgaon received a bomb threat via email that ultimately proved to be a hoax. Similarly, a threat was reported on July 25 targeting Terminal 2 of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), which also turned out to be unfounded.

Despite the majority of these threats being false alarms, security agencies cannot afford to underestimate any situation. Previously, a series of hoax threats aimed at airlines were reported. Many of these notifications were disseminated through social media platforms.

In the airline incidents, the patterns suggested an orchestrated effort to undermine the aviation sector in India. Such threats incite widespread panic, which could be their primary objective. In certain instances, it was determined that the callers were merely seeking attention through pranks. Investigators often found themselves at a standstill, as threats were communicated via VPNs, complicating the investigation process. Authorities are now exploring the broader context to determine if this is part of a larger psychological strategy.

Similar threats have also been directed at schools, shopping malls, universities, and medical facilities.

While investigations continue, the hoax threats aimed at airlines have negatively impacted their operations. Numerous planes were forced to make emergency landings, further straining the industry.

In such scenarios, passengers must be evacuated, and aircraft meticulously searched for any explosives. Consequently, flights have had to offload up to 100 tonnes of jet fuel to facilitate safe landings, resulting in costs of around Rs 10 million for airlines. The total expenditure incurred from rerouting, managing passenger and crew safety, grounding aircraft, and compensating crew members reached approximately Rs 30 million.

The Mumbai Police have reported receiving numerous false threat calls from unknown sources. Many of these individuals have been found to be struggling with mental health issues or under the influence of alcohol.

However, law enforcement must treat every call with utmost seriousness, ensuring no risks are taken. If a specific location is indicated, evacuations and thorough searches must be conducted in collaboration with the bomb disposal unit.

In this latest threat, although the caller threatened to execute bombings during the visarjan, no specific locations were mentioned. This ambiguity complicates the police response and increases the pressure on their operations.