Detained crew claim innocence about the nature of cargo
The Pakistani boat that was intercepted by the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard off the coast in Porbandar on Monday. (Photo: AP)
Mumbai: A Navy and an Indian Coast Guard (ICG) team found narcotic packets on the Pakistani boat and also learnt that the contraband was meant to be transferred to another boat. “Three satellite phones and two GPS systems were also recovered from them,” said Coast Guard inspector-general Kuldip Singh Sheoran.
However, a second boat, that was reported 245 nautical miles southwest of Porbandar, has not been located. The seized vessel was escorted to Porbandar on the morning of April 21 by ICGS Sangram and INS Nirghat. Eight of the crew have been identified as M.D. Yusuf, Yunus, M.D. Baksh, Maqsood, Gul Hasan, Ali Basaq, M.D. Ahmed and another person also named Gul Hasan.
“This looks like a pure smuggling attempt. Some of the crew have, however, claimed they were unaware of the nature of the cargo and were merely following instructions,” said an officer.
The incident is significant when seen against the backdrop of the December 31 operation where another Pakistani boat being chased by the Coast Guard caught fire 365 km off the Porbandar coast, killing the four crew members on board. It was suspected to be a case of suicide to prevent capture by Indian agencies. Sources in the security establishment believe the contraband comprised illicit liquor since ammunition or explosives would have caused an explosion.
When asked whether any link between the crew and the Pakistan Navy has come to the fore, ICG DIG S.E. Gupta said details will come to light during the joint interrogation.
“The mission was launched and based on the intel input which indicated the appropriate position of the boat. Accordingly, the coordinating operation launched by the Coast Guard and the Navy was aimed at interception of the vessel which has been completed and the crew has been brought here. Remaining details are part of the further joint interrogation,” he said.
The operation was launched on April 18 after receiving intelligence inputs, and was conducted in close coordination with the Western command of Navy along with the north-west regional headquarters, he said.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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