Mumbai on High Alert: Lashkar-e-Jihadi’s 34 Human Bombs Claim Explained

 

Mumbai on High Alert: Human Bombs in 34 Cars Threat Message — Understanding the Incident, Fear, and Why People Turn to Terrorism

Introduction

On the morning of September 5, 2025, Mumbai—the bustling financial capital of India—woke up to a chilling terror threat. A WhatsApp message sent to the official Mumbai Traffic Police helpline claimed that 34 cars in the city had been rigged with human bombs carrying 400 kilograms of RDX explosives. The message, allegedly sent by an organization calling itself Lashkar-e-Jihadi, further claimed that 14 Pakistani terrorists had entered the city to execute the plan, warning that the impending blast would kill over one crore people and “shake the entire city.”

This single message was enough to trigger panic and heightened security across Mumbai. For a city that has lived through the horrors of 26/11 terror attacks and multiple bombings in the past, such a message, even if suspected to be a hoax, cannot be taken lightly.

But beyond the immediate shock, this incident raises deeper questions:

• Why are such threats created, whether real or fake?

• What pushes people toward terrorism?

• How do hoaxes themselves play into the psychology of fear?

• What is the long-term impact of such threats on society, security, and public trust?

This blog takes a deep dive into the Mumbai “human bombs in cars” threat, analyzing the incident itself, the historical and social context, the psychology behind terrorism and hoaxes, and what it all means for India as a society moving forward.

The Mumbai Threat: What Exactly Happened?

The Threat Message

According to reports from India Today, Indian Express, and NDTV, the WhatsApp message made the following claims:

1. 34 vehicles loaded with human bombs had been deployed across Mumbai.

2. 400 kilograms of RDX explosives were part of the operation.

3. The bombs could allegedly kill 1 crore (10 million) people.

4. The group claimed to have deployed 14 Pakistani terrorists in the city.

5. The threat was signed off by a group calling itself “Lashkar-e-Jihadi.”

The timing of the message was particularly alarming, as it came just before Anant Chaturdashi, the day of Ganesh Visarjan, when millions of devotees gather across Mumbai for religious processions. A terror attack on such a day would cause unimaginable casualties.

Immediate Response from Authorities

The Mumbai Police responded swiftly:

• High alert declared across the city.

• Checkpoints established across key areas.

• Vehicle checks and sniffer dogs deployed in sensitive zones.

• The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and central agencies were alerted.

• Special focus on crowded religious areas due to the ongoing Ganesh festivities.

While initial assessment suggested the message was likely a hoax, Mumbai Police treated it as a serious threat. Authorities made it clear that no possibility could be ignored, given the city’s painful history with terrorism.

Mumbai’s Troubled History with Terrorism

To understand why such threats cause instant panic, we must look at Mumbai’s history:

1. 1993 Serial Bomb Blasts – A series of 12 coordinated blasts killed over 250 people and injured more than 700.

2. 2006 Train Bombings – Seven bombs exploded on Mumbai’s local trains, killing 209 people.

3. 2008 26/11 Attacks – Armed terrorists from Pakistan carried out attacks at Taj Hotel, CST station, and multiple locations, killing 175 people and injuring hundreds.

4. Frequent Hoaxes – From airports to schools, Mumbai has seen repeated false alarms. Just recently, a man was arrested in Thane for a hoax bomb call at Kalwa station

This history explains why Mumbai Police cannot afford to dismiss any message—real or fake.

Hoax or Real? The Growing Trend of False Bomb Threats

While the 34 human bombs threat appears to be a hoax, it is part of a growing trend in India and worldwide. Hoax threats often follow a certain pattern:

• Anonymous messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram are used.

• Pseudo names of terror groups are claimed to create fear.

• The timing is often around festivals or public gatherings, maximizing panic.

• The hoax drains police resources and spreads fear among citizens.

Why Do People Create Hoax Threats?

1. Attention Seeking – Some individuals, often with disturbed mental states, do this to get media attention.

2. Revenge or Frustration – Disgruntled individuals target public authorities as an act of defiance.

3. Psychological Issues – Many such hoax callers are later found to be intoxicated or struggling with mental health.

4. Testing Security – Sometimes, hoaxes are used to test security responses, helping real terrorists plan future attacks.

Why Do People Become Terrorists?

The Mumbai incident—though possibly a hoax—gives us an opportunity to examine the larger question: why do some people choose the path of terrorism?

1. Ideological Indoctrination

• Groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and LeT recruit individuals by brainwashing them with extremist ideologies.

• Young people are told they are “fighting for a cause” or “defending faith.”

• Propaganda videos, social media campaigns, and religious manipulation play a huge role.

2. Political Motivations

• Many terror groups arise out of political struggles—Kashmir militancy, Naxal insurgency, and global jihadist causes.

• Governments, in turn, are targeted as enemies.

3. Socio-Economic Factors

• Poverty, unemployment, and lack of education make vulnerable youth easy targets.

• When people feel excluded from society, extremist groups give them a “sense of belonging.”

4. Psychological Vulnerabilities

• People facing identity crises, trauma, or personal losses can be manipulated.

• Radical groups prey on such vulnerabilities, offering them “purpose.”

5. Revenge and Anger

• Sometimes, terrorism is fueled by personal revenge—loss of family members in conflicts, resentment toward state authorities, or communal hatred.

6. False Heroism and Martyrdom

• Suicide bombers are often told they will become “heroes” or “martyrs.”

• They are promised rewards in the afterlife.

The Psychology of Terror Threats

Even if no bomb exists, the fear of terrorism itself achieves the desired impact:

• Public Fear and Panic – People avoid crowded places, businesses suffer, and life is disrupted.

• Drain on Security Forces – Hundreds of officers, sniffer dogs, and resources are diverted.

• Media Amplification – Continuous news coverage gives more power to the threat.

• Distrust in Authorities – Repeated hoaxes can make people less alert during real threats.

This is why both real terrorism and hoax threats are equally dangerous to society.

The Role of Technology in Spreading Threats

• Apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal provide anonymity.

• Fake SIM cards and VPNs make tracing harder.

• Social media amplifies fear within minutes.

• AI-generated fake videos or deepfakes are now being used by extremists.

Mumbai’s recent threat also shows how a single anonymous message can put an entire city of 20 million people on edge.

How Mumbai Police and Citizens Respond

Mumbai Police Actions

• Treating every threat seriously, even if it looks fake.

• Increasing patrols, checkpoints, and bomb detection squads.

• Using cybercrime units to trace messages.

• Arresting hoax callers swiftly to set deterrence.

Role of Citizens

• Remaining vigilant without spreading panic.

• Reporting suspicious activities immediately.

• Avoiding spreading unverified news on social media.

Lessons for Society

This incident shows us that:

1. Terror is not just about bombs—it’s also about creating fear.

2. Psychological warfare is as dangerous as physical attacks.

3. Youth need awareness programs so they don’t fall prey to radicalization.

4. Media needs responsibility—to inform without sensationalizing.

• Mumbai terror threat 2025

• human bombs in 34 cars Mumbai

• Lashkar-e-Jihadi threat

• Mumbai Police high alert

• Why do people become terrorists

• Mumbai hoax bomb threats

• Psychology of terrorism in India

• Ganesh Visarjan security alert

Conclusion: A Message Beyond the Threat

The “34 human bombs in cars” threat to Mumbai might ultimately prove to be a hoax. But it highlights the fragile balance between fear and resilience in a city that has been targeted repeatedly by terrorism.

Why do people become terrorists—or even pretend to be terrorists? Often because of hate, indoctrination, revenge, or sheer desperation. But sometimes, it is simply to feel powerful in a world where they feel powerless.

For Mumbai, the message is clear:

• Stay vigilant, not fearful.

• Fight terrorism not just with guns, but with education, opportunity, and unity.

• Reject hatred, embrace one nation, one people.

Because in the end, terrorism—real or fake—thrives on our fear. And the best way to defeat it is through collective strength, awareness, and compassion.