Key Highlights:
- 50-year-old Patna resident Ashwinikumar Sureshkumar Supra arrested in Noida for sending hoax bomb threat to Mumbai Police
- Threat message claimed 14 terrorists with 400 kg RDX planned mass casualties during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations
- Mumbai Police deployed over 21,000 personnel for festival security following the hoax bomb threat
Emergency Response Reveals Vulnerabilities in Festival Security
A coordinated hoax bomb threat sent to Mumbai Police’s WhatsApp helpline during critical Ganesh Chaturthi preparations exposed both security vulnerabilities and swift response capabilities. The hoax bomb threat that claimed 14 terrorists had infiltrated Mumbai with 400 kilograms of RDX triggered massive security deployment across the financial capital. Authorities arrested Ashwinikumar Sureshkumar Supra, a 50-year-old astrologer from Patna, in Noida within 24 hours of receiving the threatening message that specifically targeted the city’s largest religious festival. The hoax bomb threat demonstrated how false terror warnings can strain police resources while highlighting the effectiveness of inter-state coordination between Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh law enforcement agencies.
Bomb Threat Suspect Arrested Within 24 Hours
— मुंबई पोलीस – Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) September 6, 2025
The Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested a man from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly issuing a bomb threat to the city. The investigation team also recovered the mobile phone and SIM card used in the crime.
Yesterday, the Mumbai… pic.twitter.com/6PjelHjUUw
Sophisticated Investigation Methods Lead to Swift Arrest
- Mumbai Crime Branch traced the hoax bomb threat through technical analysis of the phone number and SIM card
- Noida Police deployed Special Weapons and Tactics team for coordinated arrest operation
The investigation into the hoax bomb threat revealed sophisticated tracking methods employed by Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch unit. Joint Commissioner CP Rajiv Narayan Mishra coordinated with Noida Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh to establish a specialized task force targeting the suspect. Technical analysis of the threatening WhatsApp message led investigators to Gautam Buddha Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, where they identified Ashwinikumar Supra through SIM card vendor records and CCTV footage from local businesses.
The hoax bomb threat investigation involved surveillance teams monitoring a grocery shop in Noida Sector 79, where authorities ultimately located and arrested the suspect. Mumbai Police officials noted that their traffic helpline had received similar hoax bomb threats in previous years, establishing patterns that aided in the current investigation. The arrested individual, described as an astrologer and trader undergoing marital separation, was transported to Mumbai for formal questioning under criminal intimidation charges.
Terror Organization Name Adds Complexity to Threat Assessment
- The hoax bomb threat referenced “Lashkar-e-Jihadi,” a fictional organization name that complicated initial threat evaluation
- Anti-Terrorism Squad protocols activated due to terror organization reference in the message
The hoax bomb threat gained additional severity when the sender claimed affiliation with “Lashkar-e-Jihadi,” a name that bears resemblance to established terror organizations operating in the region. Security analysts noted that while Lashkar-e-Taiba represents a genuine Pakistan-based terrorist group responsible for major attacks including the 2008 Mumbai bombings, the fictional “Lashkar-e-Jihadi” name appeared designed to heighten panic. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, established in 2004 with 741 specialized personnel, immediately activated protocols upon receiving intelligence about the hoax bomb threat.
The genuine Lashkar-e-Taiba organization has conducted numerous attacks on Indian civilian targets, including the 2005 Delhi bombings and 2006 Mumbai train bombings that killed nearly 400 people collectively. The hoax bomb threat message specifically claimed that terrorists planned to “kill 1 crore people” during Ganesh festival celebrations, amplifying concerns among security agencies familiar with actual Lashkar-e-Taiba operational capabilities. Investigators registered cases under Section 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal intimidation, treating the hoax bomb threat as a serious offense despite its fabricated nature.
Massive Security Deployment Demonstrates Festival Protection Capabilities
- Mumbai Police deployed over 21,000 personnel including 15,000 constables and specialized units for Ganesh Chaturthi security
- Advanced surveillance systems including 11,000 CCTV cameras and drone monitoring activated citywide
The hoax bomb threat coincided with Mumbai’s largest religious festival requiring unprecedented security coordination across multiple agencies. More than 17,600 police personnel were already deployed for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, with an additional 3,400 officers added following the threat message. The festival security architecture includes 36 Deputy Commissioners of Police, 51 Assistant Commissioners, and 2,600 inspectors and sub-inspectors managing crowd control and threat response. Specialized units including the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, dog squads, and horse-mounted police formed integral components of the security framework activated after the hoax bomb threat. Mumbai authorities established monitoring systems with over 11,000 CCTV cameras positioned at pandals and immersion sites, supplemented by drone surveillance capabilities.
The hoax bomb threat prompted additional deployment of 12 companies from the State Reserve Police Force alongside Quick Response Teams positioned at strategic locations. Joint Commissioner of Police Satya Narayan confirmed that security measures included watchtowers, public announcement systems, and plainclothes personnel specifically deployed in response to the threat intelligence. The festival attracts millions of participants annually, with authorities preparing for immersion of approximately 175,000 household idols and 6,500 community installations at designated sites across Mumbai.
Investigation Reveals Personal Motivations Behind Security Disruption
The hoax bomb threat investigation uncovered personal rather than ideological motivations behind the security disruption that affected millions of Mumbai residents. Preliminary interrogation revealed that Ashwinikumar Supra, holding a Master of Arts degree from Patliputra University in Patna, had been experiencing marital difficulties and separation proceedings. The suspect’s background as an astrologer and Vastu Shastra expert suggested no previous involvement with terrorist activities or radical organizations despite using terror-related terminology in the hoax bomb threat. Investigators discovered that the accused had obtained the SIM card used for the threatening message from an associate in Sorakha village, who was subsequently arrested for providing material support.
The hoax bomb threat timing during Ganesh Chaturthi appeared calculated to maximize impact on security resources and public anxiety during the city’s most significant religious celebration. Mumbai Police officials emphasized that while the hoax bomb threat proved fabricated, the incident demonstrated vulnerabilities in communication systems and the potential for individual actors to disrupt major security operations. The case highlighted the challenge facing law enforcement agencies in distinguishing between genuine terror threats and psychological manipulation tactics employed by individuals seeking to create fear or personal gain through hoax bomb threats.
Closing Assessment
The swift resolution of this hoax bomb threat case demonstrates both the effectiveness of inter-state police cooperation and the ongoing challenges posed by false terror warnings during major public events. While Mumbai Police successfully identified and arrested the perpetrator within 24 hours, the incident consumed significant resources and heightened public anxiety during an important religious festival. The hoax bomb threat serves as a reminder that security agencies must maintain readiness for both genuine and fabricated threats, particularly during high-visibility events that attract large crowds.
The case also illustrates how personal grievances and psychological distress can manifest in actions that threaten public safety and strain law enforcement resources. Moving forward, the investigation’s success provides a template for rapid response protocols while emphasizing the need for continued vigilance against both authentic terrorist activities and disruptive hoax bomb threats that exploit public fears and festival vulnerabilities.
