New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS) A suspicious Pakistani fishing boat apparently loaded with explosives blew up in the sea and sank off Gujarat after being intercepted by the Indian Coast Guard, officials said Friday, prompting fears that a major terror attack may have been planned.
The Pakistani vessel, which had set off from near Karachi on the eve of New Year, turned into a ball of fire and sank after its occupants, believe to be four in number, set fire to it early Thursday, about seven hours after it was spotted following an intelligence tip off.
Darkness and bad weather prevented the Coast Guard from apprehending any of the crew as they sank in the Arabian Sea along with the vessel.
The dramatic incident -- a reminder of the manner Pakistani terrorists sneaked into Mumbai in 2008 -- took place on Dec 31-Jan 1 night. The Coast Guard's Deputy Director General K.R. Nautiyal said he suspected "something serious".
Nautiyal told the media that the boat was spotted by a military aircraft, nearly 365 km from Porbandar in Gujarat late Wednesday night.
At least three aircraft monitored the boat, and it was intercepted by Coast Guard ships near the India-Pakistan maritime boundary, around 11.30 p.m. Dec 31.
Nautiyal said the boat switched off its lights when it was asked to halt for an inspection of the crew and cargo.
"The boat started manoeuvering to escape. We chased it for nearly an hour and a Coast Guard ship managed to stop it with warning shots," he said.
The crew members, four of whom were spotted, then went below the deck. It then blew up, indicating it may have been carrying explosives.
"Due to darkness, bad weather and strong winds, the boat and persons on board could not be saved or recovered. The boat burnt and sank in the same position in early hours of Jan 1," a defence ministry statement said.
Nautiyal said the boat sank at 6.33 a.m. after being cornered.
"There must be something serious. If they were not doing anything wrong, why would they run away and set the boat on fire," he said.
Nautiyal said the intention of the boat and those on board would be known once all "dots are joined".
"The intelligence inputs, accounts from the Coast Guard ships and the aircraft will help," he said.
Nautiyal called the incident the outcome of "good coordination between the intelligence and forces".
Experts meanwhile said the incident reminded of the Mumbai terror attack of November 2008 when 10 Pakistani terrorists massacred 166 Indians and foreigners.
The terrorists had hijacked Indian fishing boats to enter Mumbai.
"This is a matter of concern. It appears a big terror strike was being planned, reminds of 26/11... It also shows that Indian agencies are alert and prepared," security expert Qamar Agha said.
Retired major general S.R.Sinho said the blast in the boat "is a clear indication they were coming with a lot of explosive. Probably they wanted to enter Indian soil".
Strategic expert Commodore C. Uday Bhaskar tolD IANS: "The incident does remind one of the Mumbai terror attack, but it also reflects positively on the Coast Guard and shows we are better prepared now.
He said it "can be linked to the US president's visit (to India this month)".
The Indian Navy chief had last month warned of increased threats from the sea.
Big shock to farmers amidst agitation, increase in prices of fertilizers by 58%, food grains to vegetables will be costlier
In West Bengal, between the election and the peasant movement against the Central Agricultural Laws, the donors have suffered another major setback. The country's largest fertilizer vendor Indian
1.53 lakh new patients were found last day, 2.37 lakh were cured; 3,129 lost their lives, this figure of death is the lowest in the last 34 days
The second wave of Corona in the country is beginning to wreak havoc. With the new cases in the past, there was also a decrease in the death toll for the first time. In the country on Sunday, one lakh
Kerala diaspora to meet in Kochi Jan 16
Kochi, Jan 6 (IANS) A two-day global diaspora meet of non-resident Keralites will begin here Jan 16 for Malayalees living outside Kerala to interact directly with the government.Around 1,000
The dead body of a non-local citizen found in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag with deep wound marks on his head
Operation against terror is going on in Jammu and Kashmir. Today is the 12th day of the ongoing encounter with the army in Rajouri and Poonch. This operation was started on 11 October in Poonch,
Sushma travelling to South Africa, Tanzania
New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would be interacting with her counterparts from South Africa and Brazil during a meeting of the IBSA trilateral ministerial
Kejriwal arrested Delhi Police rejects AAP claim, shows 'evidence'
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has alleged that ever since Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has come to meet the agitating farmers on the Singhu border, he has been under house arrest by the Delhi Police.
Delhi-center Dispute: Will the Central or Delhi government-run in the capital? Now the constitution bench will decide
A five-member Constitution bench will now hear the dispute over control of rights between Delhi and the central government. The Supreme Court has agreed to constitute a five-judge Constitution Bench
Amit Shah Rally Bihar: Amit Shah cornered Lalu-Nitish on 'Jungle Raj', read important points of the speech
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reached Jhanjharpur in Madhubani. Here he addressed the people. Addressing the meeting organized by BJP at Jhanjharpur Stadium, the Union Home Minister said that he
The formula of Lockdown: The world was shocked by the havoc of the Omicron variant, which countries imposed the lockdown? Know the condition of India
Omicron, a new variant of the coronavirus, has caused a worldwide outcry. In the last week, there has been an increase of 11 percent in corona infection cases in the world. The World Health
Indian soldiers will not be less than American soldiers: Indian Army gets F-INSAS; How our jawans will become fighting machines
Indian soldiers posted on the border are now going to be converted into fighting machines. Ballistic helmet on head, Ballistic goggles in eyes, Bullet jacket on the body, Eblo pads on elbows, Knee
