Mumbai, September 5 (HS): A late-night WhatsApp message claiming that 34 vehicles in Mumbai had been rigged with “human bombs” has put the city on high alert. The anonymous sender, who identified himself as a member of “Lashkar-e-Jihadi,” alleged that 14 Pakistani terrorists had entered India and that around 400 kg of RDX would be used to carry out blasts capable of killing “one crore people.”

The threatening message was received on the Mumbai Traffic Police’s WhatsApp helpline on Thursday night. Authorities immediately registered a case and launched an intensive probe. With Ganpati Visarjan scheduled for Saturday, Mumbai Police have stepped up searches across the city, covering public places, parking areas, and basements.

Joint Commissioner of Police Satyanarayan Chaudhary, addressing a press briefing on Friday, reassured citizens: “Our security forces are fully capable of handling any threat. We are taking all precautionary measures and leaving no location unchecked. We urge Mumbaikars not to pay attention to rumors and to report any suspicious activity immediately.”

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and intelligence agencies have been roped in to verify the authenticity of the message and trace its origin. Police officials confirmed that security arrangements around Ganpati Visarjan have been further tightened, with additional forces deployed across sensitive locations.

Mumbai Police have appealed to citizens to remain calm, avoid panic, and cooperate with authorities as the investigation continues.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar