Mumbai: Police receives 'threat call' to blow up iconic Taj Hotel

A call was received at the main control room of the Mumbai Police late on Thursday evening from an unknown man, informing them that two men hailing from Pakistan would enter Indian territory.

Their plan is to enter Mumbai through the sea route and blow up the city’s famous hotel, he said on the call.

According to reports, the caller introduced himself as Mukesh Singh to the police.

During the investigation, the caller was traced and further investigation is underway, the official added.

Taj Hotel and its connection with 2008 Mumbai attacks:

The 2008 Mumbai attacks also referred to as 26/11 were a series of terrorist attacks that took place in November 2008, when 10 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, an Islamic terrorist organisation based in Pakistan, carried out 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks lasting four days across Mumbai.

The attacks, which drew widespread global condemnation, began on Wednesday 26 November and lasted until November 29, 2008. At least 174 people died, including 9 attackers, and more than 300 were wounded.

Eight of the attacks occurred in South Mumbai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai Chabad House, The Oberoi Trident, The Taj Palace & Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, The Nariman House, the Metro Cinema, and in a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier's College.

There was also an explosion at Mazagaon, in Mumbai's port area, and a taxi at Vile Parle.

By the early morning of 28 November 28, all sites except for the Taj Hotel had been secured by the Mumbai Police and security forces.

On November 29, India's National Security Guards (NSG) conducted Operation Black Tornado to flush out the remaining attackers; it culminated in the death of the last remaining attackers at the Taj Hotel and ended the attacks.