Coast Guard Intercepts 'Fleeing' Pakistani Boat Off Gujarat Coast, Brings Vessel To Okha Port For Probe

After the boat was intercepted, the crew could not justify its actions and it was brought to Okha harbour for further interrogation.

The boat was caught about 15km from the International Maritime Boundary Line. ( Image Source :X@DefencePRO_Guj )

New Delhi: Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Arinjay intercepted a Pakistani fishing boat with 13 crew members in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, Indian Coast Guard said in a press release. The fishing boat Naz-Re-Karam was caught about 15km from the International Maritime Boundary Line towards the Indian side.

“ICGS Arinjay whilst patrolling in Arabian sea observed 01 Pakistani Fishing Boat fishing about 15 KM inside Indian waters near the International Maritime Boundary Line on 21 Nov 23. On being challenged, the boat started to flee towards Pakistan side however, the ICG ship intercepted the boat and stopped them in Indian waters,” PRO Defence Gujarat said.

After the boat was intercepted, the crew could not justify its actions and it was brought to Okha harbour for further interrogation.

In a swift #operation, @IndiaCoastGuard Ship Arinjay apprehended #Pakistani boat Naz-Re-Karam with 13 crew on 21 #November 2023

⛴️ was found #fishing near IMBL in #Indian waters#Pakistani ⛴️ brought to Okha for thorough rummaging & Joint #investigation @giridhararamane pic.twitter.com/7rm3AXVTpl

— PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) November 22, 2023

“The boat was boarded and it was established that the PFB Naz-Re-Karam (Reg no. 15653-B) left from Karachi on 19 Nov 23 with 13 crew. The fishing by the boat in the area could not be explained and justified by the crew and the boat is being brought to Okha harbour for thorough rummaging and joint interrogation by all agencies,” PRO Defence Gujarat further said.

Last December, another Pakistani boat was apprehended in the Indian waters off the Gujarat coast, according to reports. The boat had 10 crew members on board.

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Six pistols, 120 rounds of ammunition, and 40kg narcotics was found in the vessel, according to the Indian Coast Guard.

The ship was apprehended following a joint operation Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad.

As per the Indian Coast Guard, the vessel had set sail from Karachi.