Noida Man Arrested for Bomb Threat in Mumbai Linked to Personal Vendetta

Bomb Threat Incident in Mumbai

A man from Noida has been apprehended for allegedly sending a bomb threat to Mumbai, claiming that multiple human bombs were planted throughout the city to instill fear. According to the police FIR, the suspect's motive stems from a long-standing feud with a friend. The accused, identified as 51-year-old Ashwini Kumar, hails from Patliputra in Bihar and has been residing in Noida for the past five years, working as an astrologer. Authorities have confiscated his phone and SIM card, and he is being transported from Noida to Mumbai. His arrest occurred just hours after a threatening message was received on the official WhatsApp number of Mumbai traffic police, stating that 34 'human bombs' had been placed in the city and that 14 Pakistani terrorists had infiltrated India.

Details of the Threat

Mumbai police reported that the group identifying itself as 'Lashkar-e-Jihadi' claimed responsibility for the threat, asserting that 14 Pakistani terrorists had entered India. The message further warned that 400 kilograms of RDX would be used in the planned explosion. The timing of the threat was particularly alarming, as it coincided with the day before the Ganesh immersion festival in Mumbai. Following the receipt of the threatening message, the city was placed on high alert, and security measures were significantly heightened.

Motivation Behind the Threat

According to the FIR filed against Ashwini, he sent the terrorist threat message to Mumbai traffic police to 'frame' his friend Firoz. After Firoz filed a case against Ashwini in 2023 in Patna's Phulwari Sharif, Ashwini spent three months in jail. Seeking revenge, he sent the threatening WhatsApp message under Firoz's name. Authorities recovered seven mobile phones, three SIM cards, six memory card holders, one external SIM slot, two digital cards, four SIM card holders, and one memory card holder from Ashwini's possession.