Mumbai: A day after a suspected explosive device was found near a school in Kalamboli, Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has initiated a probe how the suspicious looking Improvised Explosive Device (IED) found its way near a school in Navi Mumbai. Subsequently, the police have deployed extra force at public places which have a high footfall, like bus stops, railway stations and shopping malls. However, police denied the rumours of raising a high alert in Navi Mumbai. Police sources said, the ATS officials visited the spot on Tuesday and met the senior police personnel from Navi Mumbai. Police are examining the CCTV camera footage installed in the neighbouring areas, after which they have also zeroed-in on some suspects. A forensic team is involved in the investigations.
The security in Navi Mumbai has been beefed up after the two incidents of suspected terror activities in the last fortnight. Similarly, police have also asked the citizens to stay alert. A police officer said, personnel from Quick Reponse Team (QRT), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) have been deployed at prime locations in the city. Navi Mumbai Commissioner of Police, Sanjay Kumar said, “The object resembling a bomb was spotted on a handcart which was dismantled by a bomb detection and disposal squad along with Navi Mumbai police.
Accordingly, keeping in mind the recent threats, special police teams were deployed, but no high alert has been sounded.” On June 4, messages praising the Islamic State (IS) were found scribbled on a pillar of Khopta bridge, which fuelled the rumours of a high alert in Navi Mumbai. The messages praised IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, following which a parallel investigation was initiated by the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Navi Mumbai police's crime branch. Drawings on the pillars of Khopta bridge featured words such as ‘port’, ‘airport’, ‘pipeline’, ‘train’ and crude drawings representing these objects. Two days later, a mentally challenged man was arrested for drawing these graffiti.
