Pakistan boat seized off Gujarat coast, alert for 2 more

Ahmedabad: The Coast Guard apprehended a Pakistani boat with nine crew members off the Porbandar coast on Sunday even as the Multi-Agency Center (MAC) issued warnings that two other suspicious Pakistani boats, which had left the Karachi port, are moving towards either Gujarat or Maharashtra.

Giving details of the boat that was seized, a defence ministry statement said: "In the prevailing security scenario... the Coast Guard ship 'Samudra Pavak' apprehended a Pakistani boat with nine crew members at about 1015 hours on October 2."

Though the crew members seem to be fishermen, a thorough investigation is being done by Indian agencies considering the prevailing situation at the border.

"Preliminary information indicates the crew to be Pakistani fishermen. However, the boat and the crew members are being escorted to Porbandar for further probe," the statement added.

Defence sources said the crew members strayed into the Indian territorial waters on Sunday morning. The sailors will be jointly interrogated by various agencies and a case of intrusion registered at Mumbai's Yellow Gate police station. "

As for the two other boats, the intelligence input, which has given their latitude and longitude, says one of them has developed a technical snag and is holed up in Pakistani waters. The other boat is holding its position nearby.

Top government sources said the intelligence input has been shared with the Coast Guard and the Navy and vigil has been stepped up in high seas along the Gujarat coast. 

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