Day 2: Uran combing on, but still no suspect
A day after a high alert was sounded off the Mumbai coast and adjoining areas after a group of men was spotted moving suspiciously near a Naval base at Uran near here, the multi-agency search for them continued for the second day on Friday, although the Navy called off its operation.
An elaborate security arrangement was made in and around Uran, where all the vehicles were being thoroughly checked. Security forces also conducted combing operations in Uran’s nearby villages like Nagaon, Kegaon and Morabunder. But, again, no such suspect was located.
The Navi Mumbai police had issued two sketches of suspects to its Mumbai counterparts, who too had fortified the city. “All the Mumbai police stations have been put high alert. Quick measures like Nakabandi were done at all the sensitive points in the city. Also, copies of sketches were given to fishermen to help us in finding the suspects,” said Mumbai DCP (Operations) Ashwini Sanap, who told The Free Press Journal that all the close confidants like Police Mitra were kept on high alert.
Heavy presence of Mumbai police was quite visible at various important places like Gateway of India, Colaba, Marine Drive, Girgaum Chowpatty, etc. The coastal security too has been beefed up. Security was also fortified at airports, railway station and major religious places like Siddhivinayak and Mahalaxmi temples on Friday. The Bomb and Dog squads have been actively searching local trains too, said DCP Deepak Devraj. Meanwhile, after sanitising its important areas, the Indian Navy, on Friday afternoon, called off its marathon search operation in which it had pressed various Sea King helicopters. “As far as Indian Navy is concerned, operations based on Thursday's sightings of suspected terrorists are over. Sanitisation of naval areas has been undertaken. Navy is maintaining close liaison with local police/other agencies for further updates/ developments,” said Defen-ce PRO Commander Rahul Sinha. “Insofar as the state of alertness is concerned, IN maintains a high state of alert/ tight vigil at all times in consonance with the prevailing circumstances,” said Sinha. The forces of Navy, Navi Mumbai Police, Maharashtra ATS, NSG Commandos as well as Force-1 sleuths were jointly pressed into search operation after two school children claimed to have spotted at least five suspects in pathani suits carrying weapons.