Ahmedabad
Monday, 26 December 2022
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on the basis of intelligence input by ATS Gujarat apprehended a Pakistani Boat with 10 crew in Indian waters carrying arms, ammunition and approx. 40 kgs of Narcotics worth Rs. 300 crores.
During the intervening night of 25/26 December 2022, on a specific intelligence input, ICG strategically deployed its Fast Patrol class of ship ICGS Arinjay for patrolling in the area close to the notional International Maritime Border Line (IMBL). During early hours of Monday 26 December 2022, a Pakistani Fishing Boat Al Soheli was observed moving suspiciously in Indian waters. On being challenged by ICG Ship, the Pakistani boat started evasive manoeuvring and did not stop even on the firing of warning shots. ICG ship in pitch darkness manoeuvred and stopped the boat.
The ICG team in challenging conditions, then, boarded the Pakistani Boat. During the investigation, the crew were found to be behaving suspiciously. After extensive rummaging of the boat, the arms, ammunition and approx. 40 Kgs of narcotics worth Rs 300 crores were found concealed. The boat along with the crew has been apprehended and is being brought to Okha for further investigation.
This is the seventh joint operation by the Indian Coast Guard and ATS, Gujarat in the last 18 months and the first apprehension wherein arms and ammunition along with drugs were being infiltrated. During the mentioned period, a total of 346 kgs of heroine worth Rs 1930 Crores has already been seized along with the apprehension of 44 Pakistani and 07 Iranian crew.
