Mumbai Police, already on high alert for Ganesh Chaturthi immersions, were thrown into a frenzy on Thursday after receiving a WhatsApp message threatening multiple blasts in the city. The sender claimed that “14 Pakistani terrorists” had entered Mumbai with 400 kilograms of RDX planted in 34 vehicles, aiming to “kill 1 crore people.”
The alleged sender was identified as 50-year-old Ashwinikumar Sureshkumar Supra, an astrologer and trader from Patna, who was arrested from Noida’s Sector 79. Police sources said he had switched off his mobile phone but was tracked down using local intelligence, surveillance, and CCTV footage from a grocery shop. Another man from Sorakha village was also arrested for providing the SIM card used to send the message.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Rajiv Narayan Mishra contacted Noida Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh for assistance, after which a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team moved in to arrest the accused. Supra has since been handed over to Mumbai Police.
Sources revealed that he is currently going through a separation from his wife.
The threatening message, sent to Mumbai Traffic Police’s WhatsApp helpline, mentioned an organisation called “Lashkar-e-Jihadi.”
Although police suspect it to be a hoax, they are treating the case with full seriousness. “Traffic police have received such bomb threat messages in the past. There is no need to panic. Security has been beefed up at key locations, and combing operations are underway. Mumbaikars are urged not to believe in rumours and report any suspicious activity,” said a senior officer.
The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has also been informed. A case has been registered at Worli police station under Section 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and related provisions.
Over 21,000 police personnel have been deployed across Mumbai for Anant Chaturdashi on Saturday, when lakhs of devotees are expected to take to the streets for idol immersions. “We are taking maximum precautions to ensure safety during the immersion processions,” said another officer.
