Uran terror scare: Navi Mumbai cops call off search operation

Four days after a group of men were spotted moving suspiciously near a Naval base at Uran near here, Navi Mumbai police today called off their search operation.

"The search operation for the suspects in Uran has been operationally modified. But check points continue to be on the vigil. Any information on the issue is being thoroughly verified and steps are being taken to counter any untoward incident," Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale said in a statement today.

Indian Navy, which had sounded highest state of alert after the first report of sightings of the armed suspects, had wound up the search operation two days back.

Some students of the Uran Education Society's school had reported to have seen some suspicious-looking armed men in Uran, about 47 km from here, on Thursday, following which their teacher had informed the police. Subsequently, the Navy had issued a "highest state of alert" along the coasts, where several sensitive establishments and assets are located.

The alert had come four days after the Uri attack, which left 18 soldiers dead.

Massive combing operation in Uran and Karanja areas is being carried out with the help of Coast Guard and CISF. The elite commandos from National Security Guard (NSG) and state police's specialised 'Force One' had also been roped in.

Western India's biggest naval base, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, fertiliser plants, refineries, power plants and the country's largest container port, JNPT are located in close vicinity of Uran.

Coastal security has been top priority after the 26/11 attacks, in which multiple locations in Mumbai were targeted by Pakistani terrorists who landed in the city using sea route.

The fishing town of Uran is located across the eastern water front of the financial capital. The base located close to the town also houses units of MARCOS, the Navy's elite strike force.