New Delhi: Security agencies in Mumbai were put on high alert after multiple threatening emails warned of bomb blasts targeting the airport, the Mayor’s office, a Punjab National Bank, and the residences of Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan.
One of the emails was sent at 10.52 am and addressed to the Zonal Office of Punjab National Bank’s (PNB) Zaveri Bazar branch in south Mumbai and the Local Crime Branch (LCB) at Cuffe Parade, a senior police source told ThePrint.
The subject line warned of a bomb blast at the PNB branch at 1.11 pm. It also mentioned 27 November and 31 December, along with references to further bomb attacks.
Multiple locations named in threats
The email listed several potential targets, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mahalaxmi Stadium, actor Amitabh Bachchan’s Juhu bungalow, ‘Jalsa’, and the Mayor’s office. The Municipal Corporation was also mentioned, prompting authorities to put its security system on alert.
The email also referred to Khalistan and a purported organisation named the ‘Khalistan National Army’, the police source said.
“After the threats were received, the police rushed to the multiple spots, and all SOPs were followed. People were evacuated, and bomb disposal teams were called in to conduct thorough checks,” a police source said.
Specific timings and warnings
The email, signed in the name of “KHALISTAN National Army”, listed the names of Eng. Guranakh Singh, Rukan Shahwala, and Dr. Gurnirvair Singh Khan Rajada.
Apart from the PNB threat, it mentioned a potential bomb attack at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 9.11 pm and a purported “Daljit B’omb iPhone Dhamake” at Mahalaxmi Stadium.
Warnings were also directed at Amitabh Bachchan, referring to a “Car B0mb Hamla” at his Jalsa residence, and singer Diljit Dosanjh, cautioning people against attending upcoming shows. The email also mentioned threats against a court at 2.11 pm and the Mayor’s office at 3.11 pm.
Security agencies are investigating the source and credibility of the threats. Inspections were carried out at the locations mentioned in the email, but no suspicious activity was found, police sources said. Further details are awaited.
The latest threat comes days after additional security arrangements were reportedly made outside Bachchan’s Juhu residence. “We take basic precautions for such threats, police remains deployed around the Jalsa vicinity,” another senior police officer told ThePrint.
Passenger apprehended after flight bomb threat
Separately, a bomb threat was reported aboard an aircraft operating between Kolkata and Mumbai on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, a hijack note was found by the cabin crew inside the lavatory of Air India flight AI 2772 (A320, registration VT-TNH) at 10.37 am on November 11. The flight was scheduled to operate from Kolkata to Mumbai.
Authorities carried out the necessary security checks as per established protocols. Boarding subsequently commenced, and the flight departed at 5 pm.
On Thursday, a passenger in connection with Wednesday’s incident was apprehended and handed over to the NSCBI Airport Police Station, the AAI statement said.
(Edited by Anupama Yadav)
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