Nine Pakistanis arrested by Coast Guard off Kutch coast

As many as nine Pakistani nationals along with a boat were apprehended off Kutch coast by Indian Coast Guards (ICG) on Saturday evening.

According to an ICG communique,  a frontline fast patrol vessel (FPV) of Indian Coast Guard Region (North West) while patrolling close to International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), noticed a Pakistani fishing boat towards Indian side at 7 pm. The alert crew of the ship on confirmation, exercised a daring boarding operation in challenging sea conditions and subsequently apprehended the Pakistani national along with the boat named ‘AL ALISHA’ for illegally fishing in Indian waters.

All the crew and boat were escorted to Okha port and have been handed over to local Marine Police for further investigation. Reports of fishing activity and presence of Pak entities have been reported by intelligence and security agencies. The Coast Guard has been observing a high security alert on the occasion of 72 nd I-Day. The forces have intensified patrolling in the sea areas. In addition, a round the clock presence of CG ships is being maintained and this surveillance regime is further augmented by Coast Guard aircrafts.