Security beefed up at Matoshree, Uddhav Thackeray's residence, following threat call

Matoshree, Mumbai /Sameer Markande

Security has been beefed up outside Matoshree, the residence of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. The security outside Matoshree was beefed up after the Maharashtra police control room got a threat call regarding possible sabotage close to the property. The call, which came in on Sunday night, said that some people were talking about sabotage in front of Thackeray's house, according to a report in PTI.

According to the report, the caller claimed to have overheard the talk while travelling on a train between Mumbai and Gujarat and stated that Matoshree was in danger. The caller claimed to have overheard four or five people in Urdu discussing sabotage operations.

IN PHOTOS: Hundreds killed, dozens captured in Israel-Hamas battles

1 year agoPHOTO GALLERY

Given the gravity of the danger, the police have beefed security around Matoshree. According to an official statement, efforts were made to locate the caller who gave information about the sabotage threat, but his phone was left off after the call. To verify the veracity of the threat and guarantee the security of the house and its occupants, investigations are still in progress, the PTI report added.

In another incident, unknown gunmen shot 42-year-old RTI activist Mobin Shaikh in Virar, Maharashtra; the bullet missed him by a whisker and struck the wall of his home instead. On Monday, January 15, at around 7:30 am, the incident happened. Shaikh had previously been the victim of an acid attack.

Shaikh, who lived in Gopcharpada in Virar East and was a member of Ashiyana society, was attacked at home. His door was knocked on by an unidentified male who was standing outside his window with another individual. The attacker shot at Shaikh as he got closer to the door, but amazingly it missed and struck the wall instead, the mid-day report added.

Both attackers fled the area quickly, prompting authorities to retrieve the gunshot and begin an investigation. Authorities are looking through CCTV video to find the shooters. Despite having previously been the target of an acid assault, Shaikh escaped this time unhurt.

While the town was shaken by the incident, authorities assured residents that the situation was under control. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the horrific incident that targeted the RTI activist.