Parrikar lauds Coast Guard for intercepting Pakistani boat (Lead)

New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS) Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar Friday complimented the Indian Coast Guard for intercepting a suspicious Pakistani fishing boat apparently loaded with explosives and said India needs to be vigilant.

On his official Facebook page, Parrikar wrote: "I congratulate Coast Guards for timely action of intercepting a boat carrying suspected terror groups with surgical precision, thereby eliminating danger."

"Need to be vigilant," the minister added.

Earlier, an official statement said Parrikar "complimented the Indian Coast Guard and those involved in the operation for intercepting the rogue vessel off the coast of Gujarat, in a timely and precise manner, thereby, averting a possible danger".

In a blatant reminder of the 26/11 terror attack, the Coast Guard in a dramatic chase intercepted and stopped the boat, which blew up in the sea and sank off Gujarat late Wednesday night.

The 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.