Indian Coast Guard vessels and aircraft intercepted a suspect fishing boat in Arabian Sea near Indo-Pak maritime boundary.
The operation occurred on the night of December 31 approximately 365 km from Porbander. Based on the information received about a fishing boat from KetiBunder near Karachi that was planning an illicit transaction in the Arabian Sea, the Coast Guard Dornier aircraft embarked on this mission.
When the Coast Guard located the vessel and ordered it to stop for further investigation, the boat increased speed and tried to escape. After firing warning shots the Coast Guard managed to stop the fishing boat. The crew then hid themselves in below deck compartment and set the boat on fire, resulting in an explosion.
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 the early hours of 1st January. Coast Guard ships and aircraft continued operations in the area to search for any possible survivors.
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Press release, Image: Indian DoD