Mumbai still on high alert; Navy calls off operations, Police and coast guards continue search

Mumbai remained on high alert even on the third day after two school-going kids spotted a group of men moving suspiciously near a Western Naval base at Uran around 6.30 AM on Thursday.

Published: September 24, 2016 12:50 PM IST

By India.com News Desk

Mumbai still on high alert; Navy calls off operations, Police and coast guards continue search

Mumbai, Sep 24: Mumbai remained on high alert even on the third day after two school-going kids spotted a group of men moving suspiciously near a Western Naval base at Uran around 6.30 AM on Thursday. The city has been under vigil ever since the Navi Mumbai Police released the sketch of one of the suspicious men. Uran, which is 47km from Mumbai, has been under terror threat since then.

Massive search and combing operations were undertaken by the Army and Navy to locate the suspected men. However, after search operations in and around Mumbai, the Indian Navy has called off the operations while the Police and coast guards continue their search. High security was called at the ONGC refinery and the naval base at Mora in wake of the terror threat.

Mumbai is still on high alert as the city had witnessed one of its deadliest attacks in November 2008 and cannot afford taking a chance with its security. In November 2008, 10 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, carried out a series of 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks lasting four days across Mumbai. The multi-agency search for them continued even today. After the 26/11 terror attacks that shook the nation, questions were raised about the coastal security. (ALSO READ: Uran terror alert: Here is what is at stake around the highly sensitive naval base in Navi Mumbai)

A combing operation was carried out where the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos flew in and joined the Navy’s Marcos commandos, Navi Mumbai policemen, Force One commandos and other security personnel in a combing operation. More than a thousand police men scoured hotels; forests of Uran by nobody have been apprehended till now. (ALSO READ: Mumbai on High Alert: Suspected terrorists said ‘ONGC’,’school’ repeatedly, spoke in foreign language, say Uran school children)

The Western Naval Command (WNC) of Navy, which called of the search operation, in an official statement here said, “As far as Indian Navy is concerned, operations based on yesterday’s sightings of suspected terrorists are concerned are over. Sanitisation of naval areas has been undertaken. Navy is maintaining close liaison with local police/other agencies for further updates or developments.” “However, as the state of alertness is concerned, Indian Navy maintains a high state of alert and tight vigil at all times in consonance with the prevailing circumstances,” it added.(ALSO READ: Mumbai high alert: Uran police releases sketch of suspected terrorist)

Earlier on Thursday, as the school kids informed their teacher about the sightings, the school authorities immediately informed the Uran police, who alerted senior officers from the Navi Mumbai police. On the same night, police released sketches of two suspects who were spotted by school children. “As per the reports, five to six persons were sighted in Pathani suits and appeared to be carrying weapons and backpacks,” Naval spokesman Cdr Rahul Sinha had said.

The DGP office immediately issued alerts to all police stations along the Mumbai coast. Satish Mathur, Director General of Police, said, “Search operations by police is still on in Uran area. But, so far, nothing significant has been come across”, PTI reported.

Also Read:

For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest India News on India.com.

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts Cookies Policy.