Acting on a tip off from a taxi driver, five teams of Mumbai’s Anti Terror Squad have launched a massive man-hunt for three men and a woman in veil (burqa), who are suspected to be terrorists targeting popular spots in city. According to reports, the taxi driver, who drove them around the city landmarks on Tuesday got annoyed by their suspicious behaviour and described them as ‘shady characters’.
Further, the police have taken two persons in custody from the Mira Road area on suspicion. The police officials are still trying to establish any connection between those held in custody and the four being hunted.
Meanwhile, a special cell formed by the Mumbai police is seriously hunting for the suspected persons.
The special cell is getting the active co-operation of Gujarat and Hyderabad police, who are co-ordinating with them.
The taxi driver revealed that two of the four suspects are carrying small bags. The driver, who had been hired by the four, at Rs 2000 per day, for two days, informed that the four roamed around the city starting from Mahim Dargah and visited Haji Ali, Mahalaxmi Temple, JJ Hospital and the Hilton towers- all the popular public spots of the city. If the driver is to be believed, the four suspects appeared to be taking a general overview of these public places.
What aroused the driver’s suspicion was the fact that they talked in hush tones in Hindi. Also the fact that they visited a Hindu shrine as well as a Muslim shrine on a single day was peculiar to him. Further when they asked him to keep a parcel to look after, the driver refused and after a tiff with them, he dropped them off at the Shri Siddhivinayak Temple.
He then informed the police about his suspicions.
The Joint Commissioner of Police (Mumbai) has confirmed the incident and has requested the citizens to come forward and help the police.
In view of the recent terror attacks in Ludhiana, Ajmer and Hyderabad, the police are taking the situation very seriously. The police believe that the four were on a recce of the major spots of the city.
Security has been beefed up across the various points in the city and the police have released the sketch of the three men. An official statement is expected later in the day.
