Coast Guard apprehends Pakistani fishing boat with 10 crew members off Gujarat coast

India Coast Guard seized Pakistani ship 'Yaseen' and arrested 10 members of the crew off Gujarat coast.

Ahmedabad (Gujarat):The Indian Coast Guard has seized a Pakistani Fishing Boat (PFB) 'Yaseen' along with 10 of its Pakistani crew, during the intervening night of 8 January. India Coast Guard Ship 'ANKIT' apprehended the boat while it was operating off Gujarat coast.

The said fishing boat when interdicted and interrogated could not justify their presence in Indian waters and was therefore apprehended by ICG ship, according to Ministry of Defence. A statement issued by the ministry further said that the boat attempted to return towards Pakistani waters but they were made to stop and apprehended by the ICG ship.

During the initial boarding, PFB Yaseen - registered at Ketibandar - was found in possession of approximately 2000 kgs of fish catch along with 600 Ltrs of Diesel.

The Indian Coast Guard officials said that the crew did not have any documents and are now being brought to Porbandar (Gujarat) for further interrogation.

“So far, two tonnes of fish and 600 litres of fuel recovered from the deck. Furthermore, the checking would be carried out once the boat reaches Porbandar,” the officials added.

Coast Guard Chief V.S. Pathania has issued directions to further strengthen patrolling along waters with Pakistan in view of frequent attempts to push contraband and terrorists into India from that side.

(With agency inputs)