Two more Pakistani boats located near Porbandar

mangaloretoday.com/ IT

Porbander, Jan 02: The Coast Guard has intercepted two more suspicious boats near Porbandar, two days after four men blew their boat after being cornered by Indian ships, 365 kilometres away from the coast. According to reports, two ships have been dispatched to nail the suspicious boats.

According to sources, intelligence agency NTRO intercepted suspicious radio communication between the two boats, after which the Coast Guard sent the ships for the search operation.

 

This comes two days after a fishing boat, allegedly hailing from Pakistan, blew itself up off the Gujarat coast on the night. The vessel was reportedly intercepted and chased by Indian Coast Guard off the Porbandar coast in Gujarat.
 
A Defence Ministry statement said that the Coast Guard conducted the operation after intelligence reports said that a boat allegedly loaded with weapons was headed towards the Indian shores. The Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft intercepted the suspected fishing boat in the Arabian Sea near the India-Pakistan maritime boundary, approximately 365 km from Porbandar.

"(A) hot pursuit continued for nearly one hour, and the Coast Guard ship managed to stop the fishing boat after firing warning shots," the statement said.
 
As per intelligence inputs received on December 31, a fishing boat from Keti Bunder near Karachi was planning some transaction in the Arabian Sea. Based on the input, a Coast Guard Dornier aircraft undertook sea and air search and located the suspect fishing boat.

Spotting the fishing vessel, the Coast Guard ship reportedly warned the fishing boat to stop for further investigation of the crew and cargo. The Pakistani vessel reportedly increased its speed and tried to escape the Indian side of the maritime boundary.

Sources in the Coast Guard said four persons were seen on the boat who disregarded all warnings by the Coast Guard ship to stop. Later, the fish boat crew hid themselves in the decks below and allegedly set the boat on fire, which resulted in an explosion and major fire on the boat.

"Four persons were seen on the boat who disregarded all warnings by the Coast Guard ship to stop and cooperate with investigation," the Defence Ministry statement said. "Due to darkness, bad weather and strong winds, the boat and persons on board could not be saved or recovered. The boat burnt and sank in the same position in early hours of Jan 1," the statement said.