5.41 pm: Coast Guard did a commendable job in stopping terror attack similar to 26/11, say defence experts
Among the reactions to the incident, Defence expert SR Sinho told ANI, "Since they blew up the boat, this gives a clear indication that terrorists were coming with explosives." He also said that this was a big achievement of the Coast Guard.
"We should assume that Pakistan will never stop this. First, they violated ceasefire along the border in Jammu and Kashmir. Then, they choose to infiltrate through the sea in the style of 26/11 attack," said Sinho.
Another defence expert Rear Admiral Raja Menon said, "We have learnt a lot since 26/11. The speed with which the coast guard reacted is commendable."
"This a matter of great concern. It could be an indication of an upcoming terrorist attack, said defence expert Qamar Agha.
ANI also released a picture of the boat after it was set on fire.
Coast Guard handout : Pictures of the Pak boat that blew itself up off Porbandar coast http://ift.tt/1vPvuGD
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 2, 2015
5.20 pm: No doubt crew of intercepted boat were terrorists, says Coast Guard
The Coast Guard now confirms that the crew of the boat intercepted near Gujarat coast had terror operatives. The Coast Guard told Times Now, "No doubt the crew of the boat were terror operatives."
Meanwhile defence sources told the TV channel that there was also a wireless set found on the boat.
Also Venkaiah Naidu reacted to the news and said, "Pakistan has been aiding, abetting, funding and training terrorists."
4.50 pm: Could be attempt to sneak terrorists into India, says BJP
BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao told ANI that the boat vessel entering Indian waters was possibly an attempt to sneak terrorists into Indian territory. He also assured that the Coast Guard has foiled the attempt to do that.
Meanwhile, Coast Guard ships, choppers and aircraft are conducting search operations in the area to search for any possible survivors.
4.30 pm: Suspicious boat intercepted by Coast Guard near Gujarat coast
A suspected terror bid was foiled by the Coast Guard on New Year's Eve when officials intercepted a suspicious boat near the Porbandar coast off Guajrat, say reports.
The boat was reportedly carrying four suspected terrorists and had begun its journey from Karachi in Pakistan, according to Times Now.
Reuters image
The channel reported that the persons on the boat were suspected to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists.
The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) was reportedly tracking the boat right after it left Karachi. NTRO later on notified the Coast Guard about the boat, after which it was tracked down using a Dornier aircraft.
When the boat was around 365 kilometres from the coast of Porbandar, the boat was intercepted by a Coast Guard vessel, after which a chase followed.
"The Coast Guard ship warned the fishing boat to stop for further investigation of the crew and cargo; however, the boat increased speed and tried to escape away from the Indian side of maritime boundary. The hot pursuit continued for nearly one hour and the Coast Guard ship managed to stop the fishing boat after firing warning shots," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
The ministry said that four persons were seen on the boat but all of them didn't pay heed to the Coast Guard's warnings to stop and co-operate with the investigations.
"Soon thereafter, the crew hid themselves in below deck compartment and set the boat on fire, which resulted in an explosion and major fire on the boat," the statement said.
The boat sank on the spot. The Coast Guard was unable to find any survivors or bodies on account of the darkness and bad weather.
"The boat burnt and sank in the same position, in early hours of 1 January. Coast Guard ships and aircraft are continuing operations in area to search for any possible survivor," the ministry said in the statement.
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