Mumbai bomb threat during Ganesh Visarjan: Bihar man arrested from Noida
50-year-old Ashwin Kumar Supra threatened to blow up Mumbai with 34 human bombs and 400kg RDX via WhatsApp message claiming to be from ‘Lashkar-e-Jihadi’; Mumbai Police trace and arrest accused within hours
NewsArc Bureau
MUMBAI/NOIDA: In a swift operation, Mumbai Police Crime Branch arrested a 50-year-old man from Noida on Friday for allegedly sending a bomb threat message to Mumbai Traffic Police via WhatsApp, claiming terrorists had planted explosives across the city ahead of Ganesh Visarjan celebrations.
The accused, identified as Ashwin Kumar Supra, originally from Bihar but residing in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, sent a threatening message to the Mumbai Traffic Police WhatsApp helpline claiming to represent an organization called ‘Lashkar-e-Jihadi.’
The Threat
The WhatsApp message received by Mumbai Traffic Police on Friday morning claimed that 14 Pakistani terrorists had entered Mumbai and planted 400 kilograms of RDX explosive material in 34 vehicles positioned across the city. The message warned of large-scale explosions that could potentially kill one crore people during the ongoing Ganesh festival celebrations.
The threat specifically mentioned “34 human bombs” carrying the explosives in separate vehicles, timed to coincide with Anant Chaturdashi, when thousands of devotees participate in Ganesh Visarjan processions across Mumbai.
Police Response
Mumbai Police immediately launched a high-alert security operation, deploying over 21,000 personnel across the city for Ganesh Visarjan festivities. Bomb disposal squads and intelligence units were placed on maximum alert as authorities worked to verify the authenticity of the threat.
The Crime Branch quickly initiated technical surveillance and traced the message to its source, leading them to Supra’s location in Noida. Coordinating with Uttar Pradesh Police, Mumbai officers arrested the accused and brought him to Mumbai for interrogation.
A case has been registered at Worli Police Station against the accused under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for making terrorist threats and spreading panic.
Investigation Findings
Initial investigation revealed that the threat was a hoax motivated by personal reasons, though police officials have not disclosed the specific motive behind Supra’s actions. The accused used a mobile phone and SIM card to send the threatening message, which authorities successfully traced through technical analysis.
“The investigation revealed this was a hoax call. We have arrested the accused and interrogation is underway to determine the exact motive,” said a Mumbai Police official.
Security Measures
Despite confirming the threat as false, Mumbai Police maintained heightened security arrangements throughout the city during Ganesh Visarjan. Additional checkpoints were established, and crowd management protocols were strengthened at major immersion sites.
Authorities urged citizens not to spread rumors and to report any suspicious activities to police immediately. The incident follows a series of recent hoax threats in Maharashtra, including false bomb alerts at railway stations and temples.
Pattern of Hoax Threats
This incident is part of a concerning trend of hoax bomb threats in Mumbai and surrounding areas. In recent weeks, similar false alarms targeted a railway station in Thane, the ISKCON Temple in Girgaon, and Mumbai airport, all of which were later confirmed as hoaxes.
Police officials emphasized that while they treat all threats seriously and respond with full force, making false threats is a serious criminal offense that diverts crucial security resources and creates unnecessary public panic.
The accused remains in police custody as investigation continues to determine if he acted alone or had any accomplices in making the threat. Mumbai Police have assured citizens that all necessary security measures remain in place for the safe conclusion of Ganesh festival celebrations.
