Porbandar (Gujarat) [India], January 17 (ANI): An FIR has been filed underneath the Immigration and Foreigners Act after a Pakistani fishing boat with 9 crew members was intercepted by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) throughout a routine maritime patrol off the Gujarat coast, officers stated. The vessel, recognized as ‘Al-Madina’, was discovered working inside India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and contained in the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Speaking to ANI right here, Porbandar Deputy Superintendent of Police Dhruval Sutariya stated, ‘On January 14th, whereas the Indian Coast Guard was on its common patrol, they intercepted a Pakistani boat named ‘Al-Madina’ inside India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, contained in the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). The boat had a complete of 9 crew members.’
On Friday, the vessel was formally handed over to the Porbandar police for authorized processing. An FIR has been registered underneath the Immigration and Foreigners Act in opposition to the crew members in reference to this incident, as per DSP Sutariya.
As per the ICG, when the boat was challenged, it tried to flee in the direction of Pakistan however was intercepted, following which ICG personnel boarded the vessel.
Further investigation is underway.
This is the second such incident in current weeks. In December final yr, the Indian Coast Guard apprehended 11 Pakistani fishermen after their boat, Al Wali, was discovered inside Indian waters close to Jakhau with out permission.
Defence PRO Gujarat had stated the fishermen have been intercepted on December 10 contained in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and have been dropped at Jakhau Port together with the vessel for additional investigation. The newest interception comes amid heightened concentrate on maritime safety and worldwide cooperation within the area.
Earlier this week, India and Japan reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening maritime cooperation throughout the twenty second High-Level Meeting of the Indian Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard held in New Delhi. The assembly was led by Director General of the Indian Coast Guard Paramesh Sivamani and Admiral Yoshio Saguchi, Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard, who’s on a five-day official go to to India from January 13 to 17. The discussions centered on enhancing operational engagement in areas comparable to Maritime Search and Rescue, Marine Pollution Response, Maritime Law Enforcement and capability constructing. (ANI)