The Indian Navy on Friday ended its search for the masked gunmen spotted near its base in Uran, a day after the Centre moved National Security Guard teams to Mumbai, NDTV reported. The search began after two school students claimed they saw masked gunmen near the base, reported The Hindu. Police had also released sketches of at least two of the suspects in connection with the alert after speaking to the students. The Navy, Mumbai’s anti-terror squad and other security agencies were directed to heighten security and the city police imposed road blocks. Besides a Navy base, the region also has an ONGC plant.
The two students reported what they had seen to the Uran Education Society school separately, The Indian Express reported. The school’s principal Swati Shiralkar told the publication that around 6.30 am, one student approached her. “She told us that on her way to school, while at Bori Naka, she saw five men dressed in pathan suits, with gloves on and faces covered. She said they were carrying guns and running in the direction of the school,” Shiralkar said. She informed school management immediately.
At around 7.30 am on Thursday, another student of the school said he had seen a man in a pathan suit with a gun, while standing on the balcony of his home. The school will remain closed on Friday as well.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had asked citizens not to panic, and said a “close vigil” was being maintained in the coastal regions of the state. His office said that massive combing operations were being held.
Investigators have not yet confirmed whether the students’ sightings were true, however, the state’s Home Minister Deepak Kesarkar said that more information could not be disclosed in view of the security threat.
Uran Education Society School, the school the students belong to, has declared a holiday on Friday for security reasons. KP Bakshi, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Home), has asked Deputy General of the state police force to submit a detailed report on terror alert by Friday.
Indian security forces have been on a high alert since the attack on an army installation in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. An official said, "We cannot overlook anything at this point." Around 166 people lost their lives in a terror attack in Mumbai in 2008.
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