Dwarka: On December 26, Gujarat Anti-Terror Squad in a joint operation with Indian Coast Guard (ICG) apprehended a Pakistani boat in Indian waters carrying arms, ammunition and approximately 40 Kgs of narcotics worth Rs 300 crores along with 10 crew members.
As per an official statement, the action was taken on the basis of inputs from the Gujarat Anti-Terror Squad.
@IndiaCoastGuard in joint ops with ATS #Gujarat, apprehended #Pakistani Fishing Boat Al Soheli with 10 crew in Indian waters. During rummaging Arms, ammunition & approx 40 Kgs #narcotics worth Rs 300 cr found concealed. Boat being brought to #Okha for further investigation. pic.twitter.com/3YwzKne6bQ
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) December 26, 2022
“During the intervening night of December 25-26, on a specific intelligence input, Indian Coast Guard strategically deployed its Fast Patrol class of ship ICGS Arinjay for patrolling in an area close to the notional International Maritime Border Line (IMBL).
During the early hours of December 26 a Pakistani Fishing Boat Al Soheli was observed moving suspiciously in Indian waters,” the statement said.
Adding to it “During the investigation, the crew were found to be behaving suspiciously. After extensive rummaging of the boat, the arms, ammunition and approx. 40 Kgs of narcotics worth Rs 300 crores were found concealed “.
Notably, the boat along with the ten crew members has been apprehended and is being brought to Okha for further investigation.
Apparently, this is the seventh joint operation by the Indian Coast Guard and ATS, Gujarat in the last 18 months and the first apprehension wherein arms and ammunition along with drugs were being infiltrated, the statement said.
Also “During the mentioned period, a total 346 Kgs of heroin worth Rs 1,930 crores has already been seized along with apprehension of 44 Pakistani and 7 Iranian crew,” it said.
Pakistani terrorists who unleashed mayhem in Mumbai during the 26/11 attacks of 2008 had also reached India through the sea-route after hijacking an Indian fishing boat.
(with further inputs from ANI)
