Key Points
- On May 16, 2025, an email threatened to bomb Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, citing the executions of Afzal Guru and Saivakku Shankar as “unjust.”
- The threat was sent to the official email of Mumbai Airport Police, prompting immediate high alert and extensive security checks.
- No suspicious items were found at either location; police have registered an FIR and termed the threat a hoax.
- This is the latest in a series of bomb threats targeting Mumbai’s key sites in recent years, most of which have proven false.
- Security agencies are investigating the source of the email and have heightened vigilance across the city.
Mumbai: Mumbai was thrust into a state of heightened security on May 16, 2025, after an alarming email threatened to bomb two of the city’s most iconic locations-the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The threat, sent to the Mumbai Airport Police’s official email, referenced the “unjust” executions of convicted terrorists Afzal Guru and Saivakku Shankar, warning of imminent attacks in retaliation.
Details of the Threat
The email, sent from the ID viduthalai_puli_vellum@outlook.com, claimed that seven RDX IED bombs had been planted at both the airport and the hotel, urging immediate evacuation. The message was also addressed to Maharashtra’s Chief Minister and a police inspector, adding to the gravity of the situation. Upon receipt, police and security agencies sprang into action, deploying bomb disposal squads, dog squads, and additional personnel to both sites.
Immediate Response and Investigation
Both the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the airport were thoroughly searched. Security perimeters were established, and operations at both locations were closely monitored. After extensive checks, authorities confirmed that no explosives or suspicious objects were found. The police have classified the email as a hoax and registered a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code).
Security has been ramped up not only at the threatened sites but across Mumbai, especially at other major infrastructure points and government buildings. This comes just days after a similar anonymous bomb threat was received at the Maharashtra secretariat on May 13, which also proved to be false.
Recent Pattern of Threats
This is not the first time Mumbai’s vital installations have faced such threats:
- November 2023: Mumbai International Airport received an email demanding $1 million in Bitcoin, threatening to blow up Terminal 2 within 48 hours. The threat was investigated and found to be a hoax[2].
- November 2024: An anonymous caller claimed a passenger named Mohammad was traveling with explosives from Mumbai to Azerbaijan. Security agencies responded swiftly, but the threat was unsubstantiated[3].
- May 27, 2024: The Mumbai Police Control Room received a phone call threatening to bomb the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the airport. No explosives were found after a thorough search.
These repeated threats have kept Mumbai’s security agencies on constant alert, especially given the city’s history with terror attacks, notably the 26/11 attacks that targeted the Taj Hotel.
Ongoing Investigation
Police are actively tracing the origin of the latest threat email. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also been involved, and, in a related development, two ISIS-linked suspects were arrested at Terminal 2 of Mumbai airport following a tip-off, highlighting the seriousness with which authorities are treating such threats.
Mumbai’s police and security agencies remain vigilant following a bomb threat email targeting the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, referencing the executions of Afzal Guru and Saivakku Shankar. While the threat was declared a hoax after exhaustive checks, the incident underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by India’s financial capital and the need for constant preparedness.
