Fearing more 26/11-style terror attacks, the Indian Coast Guards plans to seal the sea routes and vulnerable landing points ahead of the second phase of Lok Sabha elections; more than 80 units of coast guards deployed
Fearing more 26/11-style terror attacks, the Indian Coast Guards plans to seal the sea routes and vulnerable landing points ahead of the second phase of Lok Sabha elections; more than 80 units of coast guards deployed
Fearing terrorist infiltration through the two biggest economic centres of the country Maharashtra and Gujarat
to disrupt the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is planning to seal the coastlines. To counter the danger of another 26/11-style attack in the country, the coast guard has already started an operation code named "Operation Raah Bandh."
A senior ICG officer from Mumbai, wishing anonymity, said, "There is a serious security threat. We have got clear inputs from intelligence agencies that terrorists are planning to enter through Gujarat and Maharashtra coastlines to interfere with the next phase of polling."
All kinds of equipment choppers, speed boats and surveillance aircraft are being used to man the coastline, including the sea routes. Commandos and Quick Response Teams are also being deployed at vulnerable spots.u00a0
Interestingly, the operation is a first of its kind, where coast guards, Navy, the state police forces and customs officials are working together. In some areas even villagers are being roped in to collect more information. "In Gujarat we have identified several places like Vadinaar, Okha and Bedi in Jamnagar district which can be used by terrorists as landing points.
These areas are dominated by fishermen and their boats can be used to enter the villages close to the coast," said Jamnagar Superintendent of Police RV Jotangiya, confirming that they have received a security alert on the issue from intelligence agencies.
The coast guards has deployed more than 80 units to cordon off the coastlines, while its ships are conducting round-the-clock patrols in Gujarat and Maharashtra's territorial waters. The higher seas beyond 12 nautical miles are being patrolled by ships of the Indian Navy. The teams have been provided specific information to communicate with the control rooms located at various places in the two states.
The 26/11 Mumbai attacks made it clear that Pakistan-based terror outfits have acquired maritime attack capability with the help of the Pakistan Navy.
"Terrorists possess more than 1,500 Indian boats seized by the Pakistani Maritime Security Force on allegations of illegal entry into their waters. These boats will help them enter Indian waters," said a senior police officer from Gujarat.
According to senior officers in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Defence (MoD), similar security alerts have already been sent to the concerned agencies.
Speaking on the issue, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Prakash Javdekar said, "The country must be alert to counter terror threats. But the Central government metes out step-motherly treatment to BJP ruled states. But there should not be any politics over national security."
