Threat to blow up World Trade Centre in Mumbai

MUMBAI: Security at the upscale World Trade Centre in downtown Mumbai was beefed up on Wednesday after an anonymous letter threatening to blast the high rise towers on Thursday was handed over to police. The letter was received by the World Trade Centre at Cuffe Parade on Tuesday and sent to the police commissioner’s office.

“The letter threatened to blow up the twin towers on May 24. It did not give any specific reason for blowing it up,” said deputy commissioner of police (zone-I) Brijesh Singh.

“Following the threat, we have beefed up security in and around the twin towers and are also conducting a through search of the premises. We are keeping a close watch on people visiting the buildings. We are not taking any chances,” Mr Singh said.

“We are trying to ascertain where the letter was sent from. Specific security drills have also been put into play.”

The World Trade Centre, which houses leading financial and investment institutions and other business houses, besides several government offices, is situated in the business hub of India’s financial capital close to the famous Gateway of India.

Tension is high in the country with the bombing of the 400-year-old Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad last week, which killed 16 people. Besides, memories of the terror attack on the city’s suburban railway network on July 11, 2006 are still fresh. Nearly 200 people were killed when a series of blasts ripped though the first class carriages during evening rush hour.