Ahmedabad, DeshGujarat

There are details coming in about a very serious incident off Gujarat coast on India-Pakistan coastal border. Indian Coast Guard has foiled a major terror bid on new years eve.

Indian Coast Guard intercepted suspicious Pakistan fishing vessel, 365 kms off Porbandar in Gujarat. Suspected Pakistani boat blew itself up after being intercepted by Coast Guard.

In a midnight operation on the intervening night of December 31st and yesterday by Indian Coast Guard ships, a suspicious boat was intercepted on border with Pakistan off Gujarat coast. Boat possibly manned by terror operatives imploded before crackdown.

It is believed that this explosive laden vessel was originating from Karachi. As per intelligence inputs, a fishing boat from Keti bunder near Karachi was planning some illicit transaction in Arabain sea. It is still not clear if the Pakistani fishing boat had terrorists on board or was transporting explosives when intercepted by Coast Guard off Porbandar coast.

Coast Guard ship could stop Pakistan fishing boat after hot pursuit for nearly one hour and after firing warning shots. Four persons were there on the boat.

When Coast Guard warned fishing boat to stop for investigation, boat increased speed and tried to escape away from Indian side of maritime boundary.

After hot pursuit by Coast Guard, Pakistan fishing boat crew hide below deck to compartment and set the boat on fire. There was explosion and fire on boat.

Coast Guard ships and aircraft are continuing operations in area to search for any possible survivor.

Coast Guard was maintaining high vigil in maritime and coastal areas since last couple of months due to several inputs on threat from sea.

PTI story on this

New Delhi, January 2, A suspicious fishing boat carrying explosives from Pakistan was intecepted by Indian Coast Guard in Arabian Sea near Indo-Pak maritime boundary but it sank after the crew on board set it on fire, an incident that comes a month after sixth anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack.

An intelligence-based midnight operation was conducted by the Coast Guard ships and aircraft to intercept the suspect fishing boat, approximately 365 km off Porbander in Gujarat, on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 after a hot pursuit.

As per the intelligence inputs received on December 31, a fishing boat from Keti Bunder near Karachi was planning some illicit transaction in Arabian Sea, a statement by the Defence Minsitry said today.

Based on the information, a Coast Guard Dornier aircraft undertook sea-air coordinated search and located the suspect fishing boat.

Thereafter, the Coast Guard ship on patrol in the area was diverted and intercepted the unlit boat at about midnight of December 31 in a position 365 km west-south west off Porbandar.

The Coast Guard ship warned the fishing boat to stop for further investigation of the crew and cargo. However, the boat increased speed and tried to escape away from the Indian side of the maritime boundary.

The hot pursuit continued for nearly one hour and the Coast Guard ship managed to stop the fishing boat after firing warning shots.

Four persons were seen on the boat who disregarded all warnings by the Coast Guard ship to stop and cooperate with investigation, the statement said.

Soon thereafter, the crew hid themselves in below deck compartment and set the boat on fire, which resulted in an explosion and major fire on the boat, it 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 January one.

Ten terrorists involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack had reached Mumbai in a boat from Karachi in Pakistan. The attack had left 166 people dead.

Official statement issued by Ministry of Defence

Coast Guard Intercepts Suspect Boat Carrying Explosives in Arabian Sea

An intelligence based midnight operation was conducted on the intervening night of Dec 31 and yesterdayby the Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft to intercept a suspect fishing boat in Arabian Sea near Indo-Pak maritime boundary, approximately 365 km from Porbander.

As per the intelligence inputs received on 31st December, a fishing boat from KetiBunder near Karachi was planning some illicit transaction in Arabian Sea. Based on the input, Coast Guard Dornier aircraft undertook sea – air coordinated search and located the suspect fishing boat. Thereafter, the Coast Guard ship on patrol in area was diverted and intercepted the unlit boat at about midnight of 31st December in position 365 km West-South West of Porbandar.

The Coast Guard ship warned the fishing boat to stop for further investigation of the crew and cargo; however, the boat increased speed and tried to escape away from the Indian side of maritime boundary. The hot pursuit continued for nearly one hour and the Coast Guard ship managed to stop the fishing boat after firing warning shots. Four persons were seen on the boat who disregarded all warnings by the Coast Guard ship to stop and cooperate with investigation. Soon thereafter, the crew hid themselves in below deck compartment and set the boat on fire, which resulted in explosion and major fire on the boat.

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 1st January. Coast Guard ships and aircraft are continuing operations in area to search for any possible survivor. Coast Guard and other security agencies are maintaining high vigil in maritime and coastal areas since last couple of months due to several inputs on threat from the sea.