Ahmedabad:

The Indian Coast Guard has nabbed a Pakistani boat with 8 crew onboard in the sea off Jakhau coast in Gujarat near International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

Defence Spokesperson Colonel Sombit Ghosh today said that ICGS Meera Behn ,a front line Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) of Indian Coast Guard Region (North West) while patrolling close to International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), noticed a Pakistani fishing boat towards Indian side at about 1855 hrs last evening. The alert crew of the ship on confirmation, exercised a daring boarding operation in challenging sea conditions and subsequently apprehended her for illegally fishing in Indian waters.

The boat is named “AL AISHA” and was operating with 09 Pakistani crew onboard. All the crew and boat were escorted to Okha port and have been handed over to local Marine Police for further investigation, he said.

Reports of fishing activity and presence of Pak entities have been reported by intelligence and security agencies. The Indian Coast Guard has been observing a high security alert on the occasion of 72nd Independence Day. The afloat forces have intensified patrolling and surveillance in the sea areas. In addition, a round the clock presence of CG ships is being maintained and this surveillance regime is further augmented by Coast Guard aircrafts, Colonel Ghosh added.

DeshGujarat