Coast guard intercepts suspected Iranian fishing boat off Kerala Coast

A suspicious foreign fishing ‘dhow’, seen off the Alappuzha coast, was intercepted by the Coast Guard and brought to Vizhinjam here on Sunday.

The vessel which is believed to be involved in transfer of high value contraband at high seas was handed over to police by Coast Guard. A coast Guard Dornier plane, 2 coast guard ships Samar and Abhinav were used to intercept the suspicious vessel.

A 12- member crew from Iran who were on the vessel ‘BAROOKI’ were arrested and handed over the the police. The police is interrogating them.The apprehended boat along with its crew was escorted to Vizhinjam harbour. One satellite phone set and one Pakistani Identity card were found in the boat.

The Kerala DGP, who spoke exclusively to India Today TV, said that the probe will be handed over to the NIA. The DGP added that the police and intelligence agencies are looking at national security angle.

A Coast Guard official told PTI that the interception was based on intelligence inputs from central and state agencies, including Kerala police.

Src – : http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/coast-guard-intercepts-iranian-vessel-off-kerala-coast-satellite-phone-pakistani-identity-card-nia/1/449304.html

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