Security was stepped in Maharashtra's Raigad district and surrounding areas on Thursday after a 'suspicious' looking boat was found with arms and explosives, including AK-47 riffles, near the Harihareshwar beach, news agency ANI quoted officials as saying. According to reports, a team of Anti-Terrorism Squad has been moved for Raigad.
Three AK-47 rifles and some bullets were found on the boat and the police were conducting further investigation, the official told news agency PTI. According to officials, the crew members of this boat had been rescued in June this year near the Oman coast.
"An unidentified boat found at Harihareshwar Beach and a lifeboat found at Bharadkhol in Raigad district. Nobody is present on either of them. Coast Guard and Maharashtra Maritime Board have been informed of the same. Police Department is taking the necessary action," Local Police said.
Speaking to reporters, Aditi Tatkare, Shrivardhan (Raigad) MLA said that some boats containing weapons & documents found in Harihareshwar & Bharadkhol of Shrivardhan in Raigad.
"As per primary information, some boats containing weapons and documents found in Harihareshwar and Bharadkhol of Shrivardhan in Raigad. Local Police is probing, I have demanded Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis to urgently appoint special team of ATS or State Agency," Tatkare said.
Raigad Superintendent of Police Ashok Dudhe and other senior officials rushed the spot and searched the boat. Some locals spotted the boat, having no crew member, in Shrivardhan area, located more than 190 km from Mumbai, and alerted security agencies.
Speaking to reporters, Deputy CM Fadnavis informed that the boat belongs to an Australian citizen. "Boat's engine broke out in the sea, people were rescued by a Korean boat. It has now reached Harihareshwar beach. Keeping in mind the coming festive season, police and administration have been instructed to be prepared," he said.
Fadnavis said that additional forces will also be deployed, if necessary and all precautions needed to be taken as per the norms of abandoned caution situation have been taken. He also said that there is no confirmation of any terror angle.