The Press Information Bureau of the Defence Wing, Government of India, today has clarified on the accidental firing that took place during its search and screen operations off Gujarat. The Defence Wing has mentioned in its press note that while conducting ‘search-and-screen’ operations in the sea-areas off Gujarat as part of the ongoing coordinated coastal-security operations mounted by the Indian Navy in conjunction with the Coast Guard, and State authorities, an incident of inadvertent firing took place on the night of 23 November while Indian Navy personnel were investigating a group of fishing boats.

It is also mentioned in the note that a fisherman Shri Pagi Chhagan of Valsad, Gujarat, was wounded in the arm.

The note said the fisherman was immediately shifted aboard the Indian Naval Ship where he was promptly administered comprehensive medical treatment by the ship’s doctor. According to the note, the fisherman has since been expeditiously evacuated by helicopter to Mumbai, and has been admitted for treatment in the Indian Navy’s premier hospital, INHS Asvini, where he was examined by a team of medical experts.

The patient is conscious, coherent and stable, and has been in telephonic touch with his wife and family and an inquiry has been ordered into the incident, the press note said.