Importance of coastal security evident post-Mumbai attacks: Rajnath Singh

Panaji: The importance of coastal security became evident after the terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008, Home minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday. Singh was speaking on the sidelines of an Indian Coast Guard event, organised to mark the commissioning of an offshore patrol vessel ICGS Sarathi. "The importance of coastal security became evident after terrorists using sea routes and benefitting from coastal security lacunae attacked Mumbai in 2008," Singh said, describing the Indian Coast Guard as the "central pillar of maritime security". Vulnerable points along the Indian coastline, including along the Andaman Islands, and monitoring of dhow movements was being undertaken by the ICG, he said.