Just days before the culminating Ganesh Visarjan festival, Mumbai found itself gripped by a terrifying bomb threat originating from a WhatsApp message. The chilling claim: 34 vehicles across the city had been rigged with “human bombs” carrying 400 kilograms of RDX, orchestrated by operatives from a group calling itself “Lashkar-e-Jihadi,” including 14 Pakistani terrorists. This message thrust Mumbai into high alert and prompted one of the city’s fastest security mobilizations. Yet, what unraveled was not a terrorist plot—but an unsettling personal vendetta.
Fear Ignites, Investigation Follows
Mumbai Police took immediate and uncompromising action. With hundreds of thousands expected at immersion sites during the festival, authorities could not afford to dismiss even hints of a threat. The Traffic Control Room’s WhatsApp helpline—which had fielded similar messages in the past—served as the alarm bell that activated the Crime Branch, ATS, and various intelligence units. Within hours, police traced the message to Noida, where a 50-year-old man, identified as Ashwini Kumar (also known as Ashwini Kumar Supra), was apprehended. He described himself as an astrologer and was arrested from his residence in Sector 79. His motive was personal revenge: the hoax was orchestrated to implicate a friend in a terror scare due to a past dispute.
Security on Overdrive During Festival Season
Despite the threat being exposed as a hoax, authorities maintained heightened vigilance. Over 21,000 police personnel, drones, and AI-assisted surveillance systems were deployed across Mumbai to monitor large public gatherings and strategic points. The message’s timing—just before Ganesh Visarjan—exposed how quickly fear can be weaponized during periods of civic celebration.
Behind the Hoax: Personal Vendetta Masquerading as Terror
The perpetrator’s motive revealed the fragility of digital threat systems. Incensed over a legal dispute dating back to 2023, Ashwini Kumar sent the message impersonating a terror group to discredit his peer. The dramatic and far-fetched claim leveraged public fear and security machinery in his personal conflict.
Tough Lessons in Urban Security
This incident, while ultimately harmless in physical terms, shakes the confidence of even the most resilient metropolitan ecosystem. Key takeaways include:
Perception Equals Power: A single false message can mobilize an entire city’s emergency apparatus.
Digital Infrastructure as Weapon: Cyber platforms can be exploited with alarming ease, demanding robust verification protocols.
Public Vigilance Matters: Panic spreads fast; verified communication is essential to prevent rumor-induced chaos.
Intelligence Coordination Pays Off: Mumbai’s swift response reflected strong synergy between cyber units, local law enforcement, and forensic tracking.
Conclusion: Resilience in the Face of Deception
Mumbai’s ordeal underscores a modern reality: not all terror is real—but every threat must be treated with utmost seriousness until proven otherwise. In an age where misinformation can spread faster than bombs, systems must evolve to separate credible danger from malicious deception. As cities grow smarter, safeguarding both physical security and societal trust will remain equally vital.
