Mumbai: Mumbai airport received a bomb threat via email on Saturday. Police declared the threat a hoax after a thorough search of the premises and its vicinity by a bomb detection squad. Sahar police lodged a non-cognisable offence against the unidentified mail sender.A police officer said the email, purportedly from an unidentified terrorist group, alleged that a bomb had been planted inside the airport premises and that it would explode soon. It claimed the airport was the first of many targets and that the group would “strike everywhere and anywhere”. “You will soon discover the true potential of our terror,” it said. The email had an unusual signoff—“Hail Swat terror X Swat Kats”. ‘Swat Kats’ was a popular animated TV series from the 1990s.The officer said the mail was sent through a VPN (virtual private network, to escape detection). “The threat was found to be fake. However, an alert has been declared and a close watch is being kept to avert any untoward incident.”Another officer said following the threat, a meeting was convened and instructions issued to conduct anti-sabotage checks within the airport and to remain vigilant. “Anti-sabotage checks are being carried out.” —V Narayan
