A Mumbai Police official on Saturday confirmed that a video claiming that two terrorists were arrested in Lokhandwala is not a real arrest but part of a planned mock drill in the Oshiwarra region of Andheri West. The clip, which shows two men being held by uniformed personnel near the Kamdhenu Shopping Centre, began circulating across social platforms early in the day and quickly became a major point of Viral News discussion.
The clarification became necessary as the video triggered confusion among residents who believed the arrest was linked to active Mumbai crime news. With the city on a higher security watch following a recent blast in Delhi, officials moved swiftly to correct the narrative and prevent further spread of misleading claims.
Viral News explained
The video gained attention because the visuals looked convincing and appeared to show an immediate counter response operation. The footage was recorded in a crowded area and looked spontaneous, which allowed the clip to move from private groups to public channels within minutes. Posts describing the event as a terror related arrest added to the confusion.
Mumbai Police clarified that the footage was created during a routine preparedness exercise. The clarification came after social media users began sharing the clip without context, causing the video to trend as Viral News within a short period. The speed at which the misleading version circulated demonstrates the influence that fast moving visual content now holds in shaping public perception of sensitive events.
Security officials stated that the drill was conducted using trained personnel and controlled procedures. They explained that the public was not involved and no civilians were at risk. The goal was to test alertness, response time, and coordination between various teams that operate within the zone.
What the video shows
The viral video shows two men standing against a wall while officers appear to secure the surroundings. One officer is seen giving directions while another checks the perimeter. The recording angle gives the impression that the clip was captured by a bystander, which strengthened its believability.
Officials explained that the men seen in the frame were part of the drill and were assigned specific roles as part of the exercise. Their movements were rehearsed in advance, and all equipment used was meant for training. There was no actual arrest connected to this event and no link to real Mumbai crime news.
Several social media accounts added captions suggesting that the men were terror suspects who had been caught after a chase. None of those captions included an official source. By the time the police released the clarification, the clip had already been forwarded in thousands of messages and uploaded on several short video platforms.
Fact checking teams who reviewed the clip found no sign of public alarm during the recording, which is consistent with a controlled drill. Analysts said this detail was overlooked by most users who focused on the visual intensity of the scene rather than the context.
Arghh 😡
Terrorist arrested from Andheri West Lokhandwala.
This is Kamdhenu Shopping complex a few metres away from my home 🤬Some Islam apologists say, “Terrorism has no religion.”
I say, “but WHY do all the Terrorists have the same religion?”🙂#Delhiblast2025 #DoctorModule pic.twitter.com/aaEdhCExMS— Divya Singh Sharma (@DivyaDee) November 15, 2025
Why it was a drill
Police officials said the exercise was part of a scheduled training plan influenced by recent security developments across major cities. After the Delhi blast incident earlier this season, several state units were placed on higher alert and instructed to update field strategies. As part of this framework, Mumbai Police increased the frequency of mock drills at selected locations.
According to sources familiar with the procedure, these drills are used to evaluate quick response coordination among various branches. Teams from local stations, patrol units, and command teams participate in these sessions. The exercises take place in real neighbourhoods to help officers adjust to everyday environments where unpredictable elements exist.
Officials added that drills help identify gaps in communication, movement, and timing. Each session is reviewed internally and used to refine protocols. The drill conducted in Lokhandwala was designed to simulate a threat related situation in a busy marketplace and test how quickly teams could secure the area.
The police stated that such drills are not new and are conducted throughout the year. They said it is important for residents to understand that the presence of officers in such situations does not always indicate a real emergency. Instead, it often signals preparedness training that benefits the community.
Experts who study urban security said these drills reflect an evolving approach where agencies build readiness through repeated real world practice. They also said that drills protect officers by allowing them to rehearse without risk while preparing them for situations that require immediate and coordinated action.
Police appeal
After confirming the drill, the Oshiwarra Police urged residents to avoid sharing unverified content. The appeal noted that unverified viral video clips can lead to misinformation and unnecessary distress among commuters and families. Officials warned that false claims also place additional pressure on control rooms when people call seeking clarity.
The police stated that accurate information about real incidents is always issued through verified city handles and trusted news outlets. They encouraged the public to rely on these sources for timely and correct updates. Officers added that if an event of serious nature takes place, the department would release an official statement without delay.
The department also said that it plans to conduct more drills in the coming weeks. These activities will be done with the same controlled measures and will not involve the public. The police urged residents not to speculate when they see such activity and to wait for confirmation from official sources.
Social media monitoring units within the Mumbai Police are continuing to track misleading posts related to the Lokhandwala clip. Teams have reported multiple versions of the video appearing with altered captions. Officials said corrective communication will continue until the false claims lose traction.
The Lokhandwala incident highlights how quickly Viral News can grow when fast moving visuals are not placed in context. It also shows that public safety improves when residents follow verified updates rather than speculation. For a city as dense as Mumbai, the clarity and speed of official communication play a major role in maintaining calm during security related events.
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