The Indian Navy on Thursday was put on highest alert in Mumbai after school children claimed that they saw men carrying arms near the Uran naval base.
The students claimed that they saw five suspicious looking men in black clothes carrying heavy sac bags and long weapons in Uran, which is near the naval base in Mumbai. Reports stated that the student of the UES school informed about the men to the principal, who in turn alerted the police of the suspicious activity.
The police on Thursday confirmed that they are combing a particular area of Uran, Navi Mumbai, to verify what the school students said.
Intensive search operations have been launched in and around Mumbai after the update. Maharshtra ATS, Crime Branch, and Force-I team of the Mumbai police have been called in to investigate the incident. Uran Session Court has been evacuated by the security forces. The police is searching all under construction buildings and and open spaces in the region.
"Two students have informed that they have seen suspicious men in Uran. While one student has claimed of spotting one person, the other has claimed to have seen five. Post the information, multiple agencies are probing it," said DGP Satish Mathur.
10:10 p.m. IST: Massive combing operations on
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Faadnavis has assured the public that everything is being done to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.
9:30 p.m. IST: Alert along Gujarat coast as well
The coastal region in Gujarat has also been put on alert now. Meanwhile, NSG commandos have been deployed in three places in Mumbai and the IGI airport in Delhi. The move is believed to be a precutionary or safety measure.
8 p.m. IST: Local school declares holiday
The Uran Education Society School, whose students had complained to the police about the suspicious people, has declared a holiday on Friday, September 23, due to security reasons.
7:45 p.m. IST: Local top cop at the spot
Navi Mumbai Commissioner of Police Hemant Nagarale and other senior police personnel have arrived at the spot. Meanwhile, specialised commandos are being roped in to facilitate in the search and rescue operations.
7:15 p.m. IST: Detailed report sought
Maharashtra Assistant Chief Secretary for Home KP Bakshi has asked the State Director General of Police to submit a detailed report on the Uran alert by Friday, September 23.
7 p.m. IST: No person held yet
The Indian Navy's spokesperson took to Twitter to praise its Wester Command for acting "expeditiously" in the case. It, however, said, no person has been caught so far, deapite tight security nd comprehensive searches.
6:35 p.m. IST: Search operations continue
The authorities are continuing their search for the suspicious people in the area.
5:55 p.m. IST: Fishermen asked by the Navy to be vigilant
Fishermen along the coast in Mumbai have been asked to stay vigilant and report any suspicious movement of boats or suspicious-looking people to the Colaba Police.
5:40 p.m. IST: Security increased near sensitive areas in Maharashtra
According to PTI, security at all sensitive locations along the coast in Maharashtra have been increased. The sensitive areas include the Gateway of India, Raj Bhawan, Bombay High Court, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and other major establishments near the Arabian sea.
5:30 p.m. IST: The suspicious men in black clothes mentioned 'ONGC' and 'School'
According to Navy sources, the students who spotted the armed-men head them say 'ONGC' and 'school' repeatedly.
5:20 p.m. IST: All Schools near Uran area closed after terror alert
"I am only confirming that Navy is at a high state of alert after getting this input ie regarding suspicious activity reported by some school children in Karanja near Mumbai," said Indian Navy PRO DK Sharma.
5:10 p.m. IST: Navy high alert confirmed by Western Naval Command
The Western Naval Command (WNC) confirmed issuing "the highest state of alert" along the Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Raigad coasts."
"I am only confirming that Navy is at a high state of alert after getting this input ie regarding suspicious activity reported by some school children in Karanja near Mumbai," said Indian Navy PRO DK Sharma.
According to media reports, the State 1 alert has been ordered because the area where the children spotted the armed men also had an ammunition depot nearby, and also because INS Abhimanyu is very close to the suspicious sightings.
Naval bases in Thane, Uran, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Raigadh are on highest alert.
In one of the worst terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008, heavily-armed militants of Lashar-e-Taiba attacked the financial capital and stormed the Taj Hotel, killing 150 people.
