Noida Police have arrested a man who allegedly threatened to bomb Mumbai on Anant Chaturdashi. Officials identified the accused as Ashwini, a native of Bihar, who had been living in Noida for the past five years as reported by New18.

Police caught him in Sector-113, Noida, and later handed him over to Mumbai Police. The arrest came just hours before the final day of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, when massive crowds gather for Ganesh Visarjan.

Details of the Threat

Officials said the accused sent a message on Mumbai Police’s official WhatsApp number on Thursday, claiming that “multiple bombs in vehicles were planted across the city.”

The message warned of a “large-scale attack involving 400 kg of RDX” and threatened that the blasts would “kill one crore people.”

He also claimed to be a member of a Pakistan-based jihadi group and alleged that “14 terrorists have already entered Mumbai.”

Specific Warning About Human Bombs

According to police, the threat message included alarming details about a planned attack. “In the threat, a claim has been made that 34 ‘human bombs’ have been planted in 34 vehicles across the city, and that blasts will shake entire Mumbai,” police said.

“The organisation, claiming to be ‘Lashkar-e-Jihadi’, says that 14 Pakistani terrorists have entered India. The threat message further states that 400 kgs of RDX will be used in the blast,” they added.

Swift Investigation and Arrest

After receiving the message, Mumbai Police launched an investigation and immediately increased security across the city.

Officials tracked the sender to Noida’s Sector-113. During the arrest, they recovered a mobile phone believed to have been used to send the threat.

Police revealed that the accused initially identified himself as an astrologer, but investigators are still verifying his background and motives.

Mumbai Police on High Alert

Authorities said security across Mumbai and Maharashtra has been significantly tightened, especially at locations hosting Ganesh Visarjan processions.

“Mumbai Police is alert, and security across the state has been enhanced,” an official stated. “All angles of the threat are being investigated,” they added.

Festival Security Under Spotlight

The threat created panic as Anant Chaturdashi marks the final day of Ganesh Chaturthi, when lakhs of devotees gather to immerse idols in the sea.

Police have deployed additional forces, set up checkpoints, and monitored public places and sensitive areas to ensure safety throughout the day.