High alert has been issued in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Navi Mumbai after five suspicious-looking men were spotted by school going children near a naval base in Uran. Security has been intensified at Gateway of India, Bombay High Court, Raj Bhavan, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and other major establishments near the sea. Children had overheard conversations of men dressed in Pathani outfits speaking in a language unfamiliar to them. They have been repeatedly using words like ‘ONGC’ and school. The student of UES school in Uran first informed the principal following which the police was alerted.
An ammunition dump of the Indian Navy and ONGC pant and JNPT are situated in Uran. After the Uri terror attack the Mumbai Police and Indian Navy are taking no chances and has enhanced surveillance in the city. Since Mumbai is known as the financial capital of India it has been on a hit-list of terrorists. Navy has already begun a search operation. All shops and schools were shut in Uran following the report of suspected militants in the city. Police are already questioning the children who have claimed to have spotted the men. Even Uran Sessions Court has been evacuated after the report. Police have issued nakabandi and are reviewing the situation.
DK Sharma spokesperson of Indian Navy said, “I am only confirming that Navy is at a high state of alert after getting this input regarding suspicious activity reported by some school children in Karanja near Mumbai. Fishermen have been alerted to report any suspicious looking people or movement of boats to Colaba Police.”
Maharashtra DGP Satish Mathur said, “Suspected’ terrorists were spotted at 6:30 am. A search operation has been initiated in the state.”
Minister of State for Home Deepak Keraskar said, “The security establishments are on high alert and people should not panic. They should report to police about any untoward incidents and must neither spread rumours nor believe in them.”
Deputy Commissioner of police Dilip Sawant said the searches were on and so far nothing had been found.
