New Delhi [India], January 15 (ANI): The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) intercepted a Pakistani fishing boat that had strayed into Indian waters close to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) within the Arabian Sea.
According to the ICG, the boat, named AL-MADINA, was sighted by an ICG ship on patrol within the area on January 14. When challenged, the boat tried to flee in the direction of Pakistan, however was intercepted and boarded by the ICG personnel in Indian waters.
A complete of 9 crew members have been discovered on board the Pakistani boat. The boat is being towed to Porbandar by the ICG ship for thorough ‘rummaging and joint interrogation’ by companies involved, the publish added.
In a publish on X, ICG acknowledged, ‘In a swift and exact night time operation, an @IndiaCoastGuard Ship while on patrol in #Arabian sea sighted a #Pakistani Fishing Boat inside #Indian waters close to the International Maritime Boundary Line on 14 Jan 26. On being challenged, the boat tried to flee in the direction of Pakistan facet, nonetheless, the #ICG Ship intercepted and boarded the boat in Indian waters. A complete of 09 crew have been discovered within the #Pakistani boat, AL-MADINA. The boat is being towed to #Porbandar by #ICG Ship for thorough rummaging and joint interrogation by involved companies. The operation reaffirms #ICG’s unwavering dedication to safe #Bharat’s maritime frontiers by way of relentless vigil and regulation enforcement throughout the nation’s maritime area.
https://x.com/IndiaCoastGuard/status/2011797008118661429?s=20
This is the second such incident in latest weeks. In December final 12 months, 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 delivered to Jakhau Port together with the vessel for additional investigation.
The newest interception comes amid heightened deal with maritime safety and worldwide cooperation within the area. Earlier this week, India and Japan reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening maritime cooperation in the course of 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 targeted on enhancing operational engagement in areas akin to Maritime Search and Rescue, Marine Pollution Response, Maritime Law Enforcement and capability constructing. (ANI)