Mumbai: Fadnavis says threat message from Pakistan taken 'very seriously'; probe underway

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, on Saturday, said that the state government has taken the threat message from a Pakistani number about the 26/11-like terror attack in Mumbai "very seriously". He said that agencies have been asked to investigate the threat message.

‘’We have taken the case of the threat message (26/11-like terrorist attack on Mumbai) very seriously. Agencies have been informed of all measures to investigate the threat matter. Mumbai CP will give further details of the case," Fadnavis said. He was speaking hours after a threat message warning of a 26/11-like terrorist attack was sent to the WhatsApp number of Mumbai Police traffic control from a Pak-based phone number.

The threat message states that 6 people will execute the plan in India. Probe underway

This development comes two days after a suspicious boat carrying weapons was found off a beach in Harihareshwar but Neptune Group, a maritime security firm, said that the weapons belonged to them.

On the other hand, the leader of the opposition in the state assembly Ajit Pawar said the messages received by the Mumbai police threatening a ”26/11-like attack” should be taken seriously adding that central agencies need to look into the matter. He asserted that the state police department is a very able force in such situations.

”The state government should take this threat seriously and our police are very able in such situations. But central agencies should also look into the matter. Whenever such threats are received by any state, the central and all other agencies should look into them,’’ said Pawar.

According to reports, the sender threatened to carry out a 26/11-style assault in a series of texts, with one message stating that six persons will carry out the attack and another mentioning that plans are underway to blow up Mumbai, bringing back memories of the 26/11 incident.

More than 150 people were killed and several others were injured when 10 members of the Lashkar-e-Taiba stormed several places in Mumbai in November 2008.