Porbandar, Jan 16: The Indian Coast Guard seized a Pakistani fishing boat, AL-MADINA, on the night of January 14 after it was spotted inside Indian waters near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Arabian Sea. Nine crew members on board were detained during the operation.
According to the Coast Guard, the vessel attempted to flee toward Pakistan when challenged, but Indian personnel swiftly intercepted and boarded it. The boat was later towed to Porbandar, Gujarat, for detailed inspection and joint interrogation by concerned agencies.
The Coast Guard shared details on X, stating: “In a swift and precise night operation, an Indian Coast Guard Ship on patrol in the Arabian Sea sighted a Pakistani fishing boat inside Indian waters near the IMBL on 14 Jan 26. On being challenged, the boat attempted to flee towards Pakistan. The ICG Ship intercepted and boarded the vessel, finding a total of 09 crew members. The boat is being towed to Porbandar for thorough rummaging and joint interrogation.”
The operation underscores the Coast Guard’s ongoing vigilance in protecting India’s maritime borders. Last month, a similar interception occurred when the Indian Coast Guard apprehended 11 Pakistani fishermen aboard the vessel Al Wali inside Indian waters near Jakhau on December 10.