Police flooded with calls about two terror suspects

However, the police who rushed to the spots to verify the information provided by the callers have not found anyone suspicious, they said.

The police had on Friday released the photographs of two suspected foreign terrorists believed to be from Pakistan and Bangladesh, who had sneaked into the metropolis to cause disruption at crowded places and religious congregations during the Ganesh festival.

The photographs of the two -- a clean-shaven Kalimuddin Khan alias Rameshwar Pandit (28) and bearded Hafij Khijir Ulla Sarif (25) sporting a skull cap, were released and dedicated phone lines were set up to enable the people to pass on information about the alleged militants.

"The control room was flooded with phone calls by alert citizens who claimed to have seen the two terror suspects soon after the news that the duo sneaked into the metropolis," a crime branch official said.

"We have been continuously receiving calls and whatever the information they have shared with us, we are noting down it and verifying the facts. The callers think that they have seen the two in the city. But so far, we have got no clue about the terror suspects," Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjeev Dayal told PTI.

Giving details of the phone calls, the crime branch official said, "A senior citizen dialled to the control room claiming he had spotted the two near domestic airport. Immediately, the police near the airport were alerted and a special police team rushed to the spot but in vain."

"We are receiving such calls not only from the city but also from outside Mumbai," he added.

However, the police were not enquiring the callers even after the information provided by them turned out to be incorrect.

"We are avoiding going to the caller and asking questions or making enquiries with them. This would discourage them sharing any information with us," Dayal said, adding "We are seeking the common man's support and feel happy that they are helping us in all possible ways."

Dayal appealed to the citizens not to panic and continue to share information with police if they come across any suspicious person or object.