Indian Man Caught with 47 Venomous Vipers in Bag at Mumbai Airport

Mon Jun 02 2025
author image
News Desk
Indian, Snakes, Reptiles, Thailand, Mumbai Airport,
Photo from Social Media
icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp

MUMBAI: Indian authorities have arrested a man for attempting to smuggle dozens of rare reptile species, including venomous snakes, into the country.

The Indian national was arrested by customs officials at the Mumbai airport on Sunday while returning from Thailand, the BBC reported on Monday.

The report citing officials said that the reptiles, including 47 venomous vipers, were discovered hidden inside the man’s luggage. The animals have been confiscated under India’s wildlife protection laws.

The passenger, whose identity has not been disclosed, remains in custody and has not made any public statements regarding his arrest.

Customs authorities shared images on X (formerly Twitter), showing brightly coloured snakes writhing in a dish.

According to their post, the seizure included three spider-tailed horned vipers, five Asian leaf turtles, and 44 Indonesian pit vipers.

Though the import of animals in India is not illegal, however, India’s wildlife protection law prohibits the import of certain species, including endangered or protected by the government.

Passengers are also required to obtain the necessary permits and licenses before importing any wildlife into the country.

Incidents involving customs officials intercepting attempts to smuggle banned wildlife are not uncommon in India.

In January, authorities at Delhi Airport arrested a Canadian man for carrying a crocodile skull in his luggage.

Just a month later, officials at Mumbai Airport detained a passenger found with five Siamang gibbons—small apes native to the forests of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

In November, customs officers apprehended two passengers returning from Bangkok for carrying 12 rare turtles.

icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp
WASHINGTON: Pakistan has expressed deep concern over India’s use of a nuclear-capable missile during a recent clash, warning that such actions have heightened the risk of future conflicts spiralling out of control in South Asia. In an interview with Bloomberg in Washington, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari — who is heading a high-level parliamentary delegation — said India’s deployment of a nuclear-capable missile had dangerously lowered the threshold for military engagement between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. “This precedent makes the regional situation far more precarious,” Bhutto Zardari said. “In any future conflict, both countries could escalate far too quickly for any international partner to intervene effectively.” He warned that such escalation could happen without warning, leaving little room for diplomacy or restraint. “Pakistan is deeply concerned that in the event of a next crisis, the speed at which both sides climb the escalation ladder could be unprecedented.” Calling for a return to meaningful diplomacy, Bilawal reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position in favour of comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan. “Our principled stance remains unchanged: dialogue is essential for peace and stability in the region,” he said. Criticising the Modi government’s current approach, Bilawal described it as dangerously provocative. “Their so-called ‘new normal’—what we call an abnormal—is that any terrorist incident anywhere in India, or in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, can lead to immediate escalation without even a shred of evidence. An accusation alone is enough to justify full-blown military action against Pakistan.” Following engagements in Washington and New York, the high-level Pakistani parliamentary delegation, led by Bhutto Zardari, is expected to continue its diplomatic outreach with visits to key European capitals, including London and Brussels. Engaging key US lawmakers Meanwhile, the delegation conducted a series of meetings with US lawmakers on Capitol Hill. It with a bipartisan group of US lawmakers, including a key meeting with the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, co-chaired by Congressmen Jack Bergman and Tom Suozzi. During these discussions, Bilawal Bhutto briefed the members on “India’s recent acts of unprovoked aggression, including the targeting of civilians and the deeply concerning, unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a clear breach of international law.” He extended appreciation to the United States, particularly “President Donald Trump, for his constructive role in helping de-escalate tensions and supporting efforts towards a ceasefire.” The former Foreign Minister emphasised that “sustainable peace in South Asia hinges on dialogue, restraint, and a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, rather than unilateralism or intimidation.” In separate meetings with other influential members of Congress, the delegation also met individually with Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, also a Democrat, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia; Congressman Tom Kean, a Republican Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Congressman John Moolenaar, a Republican Member of the House Appropriations Committee; Senator Jim Banks, a Republican Member of the Armed Services Committee; Senator Van Hollen, a Democrat; and Senator Cory Booker, also a Democrat. Throughout these engagements, the Pakistani delegation reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on regional peace, counterterrorism efforts, and recent Indian aggression. They reaffirmed “Pakistan’s commitment to peace, responsible conduct, and rejection of baseless allegations.” The delegation underscored “the urgency of dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir, an unfinished agenda of the United Nations,” and stressed the imperative of “respect for international law, UNSC resolutions, and the Indus Waters Treaty, a lifeline for 240 million Pakistanis, now threatened by the dangerous precedent of weaponization of water.” Chairman Bhutto stressed the importance of trade among countries, calling it “a bridge for constructive engagement and the betterment of our people.” Members of Congress welcomed the Pakistani delegation, urging both countries to demonstrate restraint and prioritise regional peace and stability, according to the press release. They reiterated the US support for the people of Pakistan and its commitment to aiding the country’s economic development. The delegation includes several prominent members of Pakistan’s Parliament and former senior officials, including Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Masood Malik; Climate Change Committee Chair Senator Sherry Rehman (PPP), former Minister for Climate Change, and former Ambassador to the US Senator Bushra Anjum Butt (PML-N); Hina Rabbani Khar (MNA, PPP), Chair of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Foreign Minister; Senator Faisal Sabzwari (MQM); Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense; Ambassador (r) Jalil Abbas Jilani, former Foreign Minister/Secretary; and Tehmina Janjua, a former Foreign Secretary.

Pakistan Warns of Escalation Risk After Indian Nuclear-Capable Missile Use
Day of Khullaif, Day of Arafah, Hajj, Makkah, Masjid al-Haram, Kabaa

The Day of Khullaif: A Sacred Symphony of Devotion Led by Women of Makkah
NATO, Defence Spending, US, Europe, Russia, Ukraine

NATO Allies Close to Deal on Defence Spending to Meet Trump’s Demands

Latest

M

Hajj Pilgrims in Makkah Perform Eid al-Adha Prayers at Grand Mosque
Donald Trump Xi Jinping hold phone call

UN Leadership Supports Pakistan’s Stance on Indus Waters Treaty and Conflict with India: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN
Turkish,

Turkish Wrestling Legend Rıza Kayaalp Offers to Train Young Pakistani Athletes
WASHINGTON: Pakistan has expressed deep concern over India’s use of a nuclear-capable missile during a recent clash, warning that such actions have heightened the risk of future conflicts spiralling out of control in South Asia. In an interview with Bloomberg in Washington, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari — who is heading a high-level parliamentary delegation — said India’s deployment of a nuclear-capable missile had dangerously lowered the threshold for military engagement between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. “This precedent makes the regional situation far more precarious,” Bhutto Zardari said. “In any future conflict, both countries could escalate far too quickly for any international partner to intervene effectively.” He warned that such escalation could happen without warning, leaving little room for diplomacy or restraint. “Pakistan is deeply concerned that in the event of a next crisis, the speed at which both sides climb the escalation ladder could be unprecedented.” Calling for a return to meaningful diplomacy, Bilawal reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position in favour of comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan. “Our principled stance remains unchanged: dialogue is essential for peace and stability in the region,” he said. Criticising the Modi government’s current approach, Bilawal described it as dangerously provocative. “Their so-called ‘new normal’—what we call an abnormal—is that any terrorist incident anywhere in India, or in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, can lead to immediate escalation without even a shred of evidence. An accusation alone is enough to justify full-blown military action against Pakistan.” Following engagements in Washington and New York, the high-level Pakistani parliamentary delegation, led by Bhutto Zardari, is expected to continue its diplomatic outreach with visits to key European capitals, including London and Brussels. Engaging key US lawmakers Meanwhile, the delegation conducted a series of meetings with US lawmakers on Capitol Hill. It with a bipartisan group of US lawmakers, including a key meeting with the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, co-chaired by Congressmen Jack Bergman and Tom Suozzi. During these discussions, Bilawal Bhutto briefed the members on “India’s recent acts of unprovoked aggression, including the targeting of civilians and the deeply concerning, unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a clear breach of international law.” He extended appreciation to the United States, particularly “President Donald Trump, for his constructive role in helping de-escalate tensions and supporting efforts towards a ceasefire.” The former Foreign Minister emphasised that “sustainable peace in South Asia hinges on dialogue, restraint, and a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, rather than unilateralism or intimidation.” In separate meetings with other influential members of Congress, the delegation also met individually with Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, also a Democrat, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia; Congressman Tom Kean, a Republican Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Congressman John Moolenaar, a Republican Member of the House Appropriations Committee; Senator Jim Banks, a Republican Member of the Armed Services Committee; Senator Van Hollen, a Democrat; and Senator Cory Booker, also a Democrat. Throughout these engagements, the Pakistani delegation reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on regional peace, counterterrorism efforts, and recent Indian aggression. They reaffirmed “Pakistan’s commitment to peace, responsible conduct, and rejection of baseless allegations.” The delegation underscored “the urgency of dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir, an unfinished agenda of the United Nations,” and stressed the imperative of “respect for international law, UNSC resolutions, and the Indus Waters Treaty, a lifeline for 240 million Pakistanis, now threatened by the dangerous precedent of weaponization of water.” Chairman Bhutto stressed the importance of trade among countries, calling it “a bridge for constructive engagement and the betterment of our people.” Members of Congress welcomed the Pakistani delegation, urging both countries to demonstrate restraint and prioritise regional peace and stability, according to the press release. They reiterated the US support for the people of Pakistan and its commitment to aiding the country’s economic development. The delegation includes several prominent members of Pakistan’s Parliament and former senior officials, including Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Masood Malik; Climate Change Committee Chair Senator Sherry Rehman (PPP), former Minister for Climate Change, and former Ambassador to the US Senator Bushra Anjum Butt (PML-N); Hina Rabbani Khar (MNA, PPP), Chair of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Foreign Minister; Senator Faisal Sabzwari (MQM); Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense; Ambassador (r) Jalil Abbas Jilani, former Foreign Minister/Secretary; and Tehmina Janjua, a former Foreign Secretary.

Pakistan Warns of Escalation Risk After Indian Nuclear-Capable Missile Use
Day of Khullaif, Day of Arafah, Hajj, Makkah, Masjid al-Haram, Kabaa

The Day of Khullaif: A Sacred Symphony of Devotion Led by Women of Makkah

Editor’s Picks

Pakistan

The Rise of Online Sacrificial Services in Pakistan
Pakistan, International, Child Sexual Exploitation, Network, Muzaffarabad, Punjab, Sexual Abuse

Pakistan Busts International Child Sexual Exploitation Network
Pakistan

‘Left in the Lurch’: Pakistan’s Farmers Crushed by Wheat Market Crisis and Broken Food Supply Chain

Programmes

Donald Trump Xi Jinping hold phone call

UN Leadership Supports Pakistan’s Stance on Indus Waters Treaty and Conflict with India: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN
Pakistan

Pakistan’s Partnership with China Can Make It Regional Trade Leader: Dr Salman Shah
Pakistan

All Luxuries & Privileges Must Be Abolished for Balanced Budget: Former Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of Pakistan