News Analysis India

Tag: Indian Coast Guard

  • US Says Iranian Drone Struck Ship In Indian Ocean; Coast Guard To Escort Distressed MV Chem Pluto To Mumbai |

    The Pentagon has said that an Iranian drone on Saturday struck a chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean, Reuters reported. “The motor vessel CHEM PLUTO, a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker, was struck at approximately 10 am local time (6 am GMT) today in the Indian Ocean, 200 nautical miles from the coast of India, by a one-way attack drone fired from Iran,” a Pentagon spokesperson told Reuters. The incident comes as the latest illustration of the growing regional tensions after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

    The Pentagon said this was the “seventh Iranian attack on commercial shipping since 2021”. An India-bound merchant vessel, MV Chem Pluto, with 20 Indian and one Vietnamese crew member on Saturday caught fire after it was attacked by a suspected drone. It was later secured by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the ICG said in an official statement.

    DRONE ATTACK ON MV CHEM PLUTO-Indian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre,Mumbai received information regarding fire onboard MV Chem Pluto. The Merchant ship with 20 Indian &01 Vietnamese Crew was reportedly attacked by a suspected drone strike on aerial platform.(1/6) pic.twitter.com/CpioW9MfT9
    — Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) December 23, 2023

    The merchant vessel reportedly commenced its voyage from the UAE on December 19 and was bound for New Mangalore port with an arrival date of December 25. According to the official statement, on December 23, the Indian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Mumbai received information regarding a fire onboard MV Chem Pluto, reportedly attacked by a suspected drone strike or aerial platform.

    The Indian Coast Guard Maritime Coordination Centre (MRCC), which established real-time communication with the vessel’s agent, ascertained no loss of life and assured all assistance. It was also learned that the vessel fire had been doused by the crew. To augment the vessel’s safety, MRCC Mumbai has activated ISN and immediately diverted other merchant vessels in the vicinity of Chem Pluto for assistance. The ship is being escorted to Mumbai.

    “The Indian Coast Guard also pressed Offshore Patrol vessel Vikram and Coast Guard Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft into action for rendering assistance to Chem Pluto. The Coast Guard Dornier aircraft has sanitised the area and established communication with Chem Pluto. The vessel has started making its way towards Mumbai after undertaking damage assessment and repairs on its power generation systems,” the statement further read. 

  • Pakistan boat with Rs 300 crore worth narcotics seized near Gujarat coast: Indian Coast Guard

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: A Pakistani boat with 10 crew members carrying arms, ammunition and 40 kg of narcotics worth Rs 300 crore was intercepted off the Gujarat coast in the early hours of Monday, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said.

    Based on specific inputs shared by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad, the Coast Guard deployed its fast patrol ship ‘ICGS Arinjay’ for patrolling in the area close to the International Maritime Border Line (IMBL) on the intervening night of December 25 and 26, the ICG said in a release.

    In the early hours of the day, the Pakistani fishing boat ‘Al Soheli’ was observed moving suspiciously in Indian waters.

    On being challenged by the ICG ship, the boat started evasive manoeuvring and did not stop even after firing warning shots, it said.

    @IndiaCoastGuard in joint ops with ATS #Gujarat, apprehended #Pakistani Fishing Boat Al Soheli with 10 crew in Indian waters. During rummaging Arms, ammunition & approx 40 Kgs #narcotics worth Rs 300 cr found concealed. Boat being brought to #Okha for further investigation. pic.twitter.com/3YwzKne6bQ
    — Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) December 26, 2022
    The Coast Guard eventually managed to intercept and stop the boat.

    As per the release, arms, ammunition and nearly 40 kg of narcotics worth Rs 300 crore were found on the boat. The 10 crew members and boat are being brought to Okha port for further investigation.

    This is the seventh joint operation by the ICG and Gujarat ATS in the last 18 months, and the first apprehension wherein arms and ammunition along with drugs were recovered.

    A total of 346 kg of heroin worth Rs 1,930 crore has been seized and 44 Pakistani and seven Iranian crew have been apprehended in the last 18 months, the release said.

    AHMEDABAD: A Pakistani boat with 10 crew members carrying arms, ammunition and 40 kg of narcotics worth Rs 300 crore was intercepted off the Gujarat coast in the early hours of Monday, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said.

    Based on specific inputs shared by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad, the Coast Guard deployed its fast patrol ship ‘ICGS Arinjay’ for patrolling in the area close to the International Maritime Border Line (IMBL) on the intervening night of December 25 and 26, the ICG said in a release.

    In the early hours of the day, the Pakistani fishing boat ‘Al Soheli’ was observed moving suspiciously in Indian waters.

    On being challenged by the ICG ship, the boat started evasive manoeuvring and did not stop even after firing warning shots, it said.

    @IndiaCoastGuard in joint ops with ATS #Gujarat, apprehended #Pakistani Fishing Boat Al Soheli with 10 crew in Indian waters. During rummaging Arms, ammunition & approx 40 Kgs #narcotics worth Rs 300 cr found concealed. Boat being brought to #Okha for further investigation. pic.twitter.com/3YwzKne6bQ
    — Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) December 26, 2022
    The Coast Guard eventually managed to intercept and stop the boat.

    As per the release, arms, ammunition and nearly 40 kg of narcotics worth Rs 300 crore were found on the boat. The 10 crew members and boat are being brought to Okha port for further investigation.

    This is the seventh joint operation by the ICG and Gujarat ATS in the last 18 months, and the first apprehension wherein arms and ammunition along with drugs were recovered.

    A total of 346 kg of heroin worth Rs 1,930 crore has been seized and 44 Pakistani and seven Iranian crew have been apprehended in the last 18 months, the release said.

  • Six Pakistan nationals held with drugs worth Rs 200 crore off Gujarat coast

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad in a joint operation with the Indian Coast Guard seized 40 kg heroin worth Rs 200 crore from a Pakistani fishing boat in the Arabian Sea off the Gujarat coast on Wednesday, a senior ATS official said.

    Six Pakistani crew members of the boat were also apprehended, he said.

    The fishing boat carrying drugs was intercepted mid-sea by a joint team of the Coast Guard and ATS near Jakhau harbour in Kutch district, the official said.

    “The heroin was meant to be transported to Punjab by road after being offloaded on the Gujarat coast. Based on a specific tip- off, we intercepted the boat which left from Pakistan, and caught six Pakistani nationals with 40 kg of heroin,” he said.

    The ATS and Coast Guard officials along with the seized boat are expected to reach the Jakhau coast later in the day, he said.

    The state ATS and the Coast Guard had foiled similar attempts of drug smuggling in the past also and caught foreign nationals with huge quantities of narcotics which they planned to smuggle into India via the Gujarat coast.

    AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad in a joint operation with the Indian Coast Guard seized 40 kg heroin worth Rs 200 crore from a Pakistani fishing boat in the Arabian Sea off the Gujarat coast on Wednesday, a senior ATS official said.

    Six Pakistani crew members of the boat were also apprehended, he said.

    The fishing boat carrying drugs was intercepted mid-sea by a joint team of the Coast Guard and ATS near Jakhau harbour in Kutch district, the official said.

    “The heroin was meant to be transported to Punjab by road after being offloaded on the Gujarat coast. Based on a specific tip- off, we intercepted the boat which left from Pakistan, and caught six Pakistani nationals with 40 kg of heroin,” he said.

    The ATS and Coast Guard officials along with the seized boat are expected to reach the Jakhau coast later in the day, he said.

    The state ATS and the Coast Guard had foiled similar attempts of drug smuggling in the past also and caught foreign nationals with huge quantities of narcotics which they planned to smuggle into India via the Gujarat coast.

  • Pakistan boat with 10 crew members apprehended off Gujarat coast

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) apprehended a Pakistani boat with 10 crew members on board in the Indian waters off the Gujarat coast, a state defence spokesperson said on Sunday.

    The boat, named ‘Yaseen,’ was caught by an ICG ship during an operation on Saturday night, the official said.

    “The Indian Coast Guard ship Ankit apprehended Pakistani boat ‘Yaseen’ with 10 crew in Indian waters at Arabian Sea during night ops on 08 Jan. Boat being brought to Porbandar for further interrogation,” the official said in a tweet.

    On September 15 last year, the ICG had in a similar operation caught a Pakistani boat with 12 crew members in the Indian waters off the Gujarat coast.

    There has also been a rise in cases of such boats being used to smuggle drugs through the state coast.

    On December 20 last year, a Pakistani fishing boat with six crew members and carrying 77 kg of heroin worth around Rs 400 crore was apprehended in the Indian waters off the Gujarat coast by the ICG in a joint operation with the state Anti- Terrorist Squad.

  • Amid border tensions with China, mega multi-agency military exercise conducted in Kutch

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India’s combat capability and readiness to confront any multi-dimensional security threat was elaborately tested at a four-day mega military exercise conducted in the Creek sector of the Kutch peninsula that concluded on Monday, military officials said.

    The Sagar Shakti exercise, held from November 19 to 22, witnessed participation of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, Border Security Force, Gujarat Police and the Marine Police, they said.

    The high-intensity exercise was organised by the Indian Army’s Southern Command and its primary aim was to test the combat readiness of the agencies in a real-time scenario, the officials said.

    They said the exercise involved the insertion of troops and complex manoeuvres by the forces in dealing with any possible security challenges in the domains of land, water and air simultaneously in an integrated manner.

    “Comprehensive coordination incorporating contemporary technology to include response mechanism in a multi-domain environment, real-time communication, and sharing of operational data to overcome emerging multi-dimensional threats were practised and honed,” a senior official said.

    The exercise was witnessed by the senior hierarchy of participating agencies.

    “This is the first time that an effective punch of a field training exercise has been packed in the response mechanism which functions under a robust Central Operation Room (COR) comprising troops of multiple forces,” the official said.

    “The integration and coordination achieved were apparent,” he added.

    The participating organisations deployed key assets in the exercise to simulate ways to combat various threats that India may face.

    The exercise comes at a time India has bolstered its maritime combat capability in view of evolving security scenarios in the Indian Ocean Region.

    The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical for India’s strategic interests.

    China has been making concerted efforts to increase its presence in the region.

    The Indian Navy has been ramping up its presence in the Indian Ocean to keep a hawk-eyed vigil over Chinese activities.

  • Unhindered maritime access one of India’s primary requirements for development: Rajnath Singh

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India’s prosperity is largely linked to its seas and unhindered maritime access is one of the country’s primary requirements as it continues its march on the path of development, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday.

    “We have had a close relationship with seas for a very long time…Our trade, economy, festivals and culture are closely linked with seas to a large extent. However, we have faced a significant number of challenges linked to the seas,” he said during his speech at the Investiture Ceremony of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

    The minister said that these challenges have taught us that without ensuring maritime security, it is not possible to create a comprehensive internal and external security framework. “Our security requirements, environmental health and economic development are ensured by keeping India’s maritime zones safe, secure and pollution-free. I am really happy to say that the ICG is addressing all these challenges successfully,” he noted.

    He said that India is very quickly moving on the path of development and unhindered maritime access is one of its primary requirements. “Our prosperity is largely linked to our seas since we are an arriving maritime power. That is why security and development of not just ourselves but of countries in the entire region is our primary aim,” Singh mentioned.

    According to the vision of the Indian government, the ICG has been at the forefront in promoting regional cooperation, maintaining peace in the Indian Ocean region, and working with international maritime agencies, he stated.

    “I am really happy to say that the ICG’s gallant acts to ensure the maritime security has not only affected our region but our neighbourhood too. Each of your successful missions show your efficiency and your effective response,” Singh added.

    Whether it is the accident involving very large crude carrier New Diamond or container ship X-Press Pearl, the ICG has made a major contribution by firefighting and pollution control response by running Operation Sagar Aaraksha 1 and 2, he said. “Had you (ICG) not taken timely action, it would caused massive destruction in the Indian Ocean Region,” he said.

    “The country has received international recognition after the ICG conducted these brave operations. Moreover, the country’s position as responsible and capable maritime power has also been strengthened because of it,” he added.

    In September last year, the ICG had sent its ships and aircraft to conduct firefighting mission and search and rescue mission at New Diamond, which had caught fire around 37 nautical miles off the south-eastern Sri Lankan coast.

    In May this year, the ICG deployed its ships and aircraft after a major fire broke out on board merchant vessel X-Press Pearl near the coast of Sri Lankan capital Colombo.

  • ICG apprehends Pakistani boat with 12 crew members off Gujarat coast

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Wednesday said it has apprehended a Pakistani boat with 12 crew members off Gujarat coast during a surveillance.

    ICG’s surveillance boat apprehended the Pakistani boat on Tuesday night despite rough and adverse weather conditions, it said.

    “On the night of September 14, Indian Coast Guard ship ‘Rajratan’, while on a surveillance mission apprehended a Pakistani boat named ‘Allah Pawawakal’ in Indian waters with 12 crew,” it said in a release.

    The boat was brought to Okha in Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat for further joint investigation by appropriate agencies, it added.

    In a separate development, the ICG rescued seven fishermen from a grounded boat that was about to sink off Vanak Bara in Diu on the night of September 13.

    The ICG deployed its advanced light helicopter from Porbandar in Gujarat to conduct the rescue operation and airlifted seven crew members from the boat that was grounded due to machinery breakdown, it said in a release.

  • Coast Guard ships, aircrafts on alert for pollution response after 10,000 litre oil spill reported

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Thursday has put its assets ready to control the oil spillage reported from a Portuguese Flag Container ship, MV Devon, off coast Chennai. By the time preventive action was taken 10 KL of oil was already spilled into the sea.

    Meanwhile, the remaining oil was transferred to another tank with the help of ship’s crew.

    Informing about the response ICG said, “Pollution response team at Chennai has been alerted and kept on standby. In addition, ICG ships and aircraft deployed at sea are also put on alert in pollution response configuration’.

    Information of the mid-sea oil spill, about 450 km South East of Chennai came from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo in late hours of Wednesday.

    As per the Coast Guard, the said Merchant Vessel, MV Devon, is on passage from Colombo to Haldia, West Bengal and it developed an underwater crack in the left side fuel tank containing about 120 KL of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) resulting in spillage.

    The vessel is carrying 10,795 tonnes of general cargo in 382 containers and manned by 17 crew of mixed nationality and is likely to reach Haldia PM Friday, 18 June. ICG is in continuous contact with MV Devon and master has reported that the vessel is stable.

    It may be recalled that, ICG ships and aircraft in a coordinated operation with Sri Lanka deployed vessels had successfully undertaken a major firefighting operation last month onboard MV X-Press Pearl off Colombo, thereby averting a major environmental disaster. The vessel, now partially sunk off Colombo, is under the supervision of Sri Lankan authorities and efforts are in hand for its Salvage.

    The preservation and protection of marine environment and control of marine pollution is the function of the Coast Guard. In 1986 ICG was nominated as the Central Coordinating Authority for oil-spill response in the Maritime Zones of India.

  • Yass: Navy puts on standby four naval warships; Bengal, Odisha brace for another cyclone

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy put on standby four warships and a number of aircraft on Saturday to deal with the possible impact of another powerful cyclone that is brewing in the Bay of Bengal and likely to hit parts of Odisha and West Bengal coasts on May 26.

    The Indian Navy carried out a massive relief and rescue operation after cyclone ‘Tauktae’ battered India’s western coast earlier this week, leaving behind a trail of destruction in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka and Goa.

    The meteorological department said a low-pressure area formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and move towards West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha and Bangladesh coasts around May 26.

    The Indian Navy said eight flood relief teams and four diving teams are positioned at Odisha and West Bengal to augment the existing resources.

    It said four naval ships have been put on standby with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief materials and medical teams.

    “Naval aircraft are kept ready at naval air stations INS Dega at Visakhapatnam and INS Rajali near Chennai to undertake aerial survey of the affected areas, casualty evacuation, and airdrop of relief material as required,” the Navy said in a statement.

    It said the Indian Navy is closely monitoring the movement of the cyclonic storm.

    “Headquarters, Eastern naval command, and naval officers-in-charge at West Bengal and Odisha areas have carried out preparatory activities to combat the effects of cyclone ‘Yaas’ and is in constant liaison with the state administrations for rendering assistance as required,” it said.

    Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), formerly known as Kolkata Port Trust, is monitoring the situation in view of the forecast of a very severe cyclonic storm, Yaas, and taking preparatory measures to avoid loss of human lives, vessels, and other properties, an official said on Saturday.

    The port authorities asked officials to ensure that all its vessels are taken inside the dock before the onset of the cyclonic storm, and no ships will be kept at river jetties, SMP Chairman Vinit Kumar said.

    Control rooms at Kolkata Dock System and Haldia Dock Complex have been set up, he said.

    “We are continuously monitoring the situation and will stop our operations at the right time. Control rooms at KDS and HDC have been manned by senior officers since May 21. Tugboats and launches will be available for any emergency,” Kumar said.

    A low pressure area formed over east central Bay of Bengal on Saturday, which is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and move towards West Bengal, adjoining north Odisha and Bangladesh coasts around May 26 morning, the regional Met Department said.

    The system is very likely to cross the coasts of the two states and the neighbouring country on May 26 evening, said Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Director G K Das.

    Kumar held a meeting with the deputy chairman of the port and officials of various departments to speed up the process of making preparatory arrangements.

    The authorities hired and installed many generator sets at strategic locations, and will keep payloaders ready for any exigency, he said.

    The port also asked officials to make sure that frontline workers with hydraulic ladder, diesel or battery- operated saw and other equipment are stationed at various locations.

    CISF personnel and security staffers have also been urged to patrol the port areas to send first-hand information to the control rooms, the official added.

    The Coast Guard Eastern Seaboard has initiated pre- emptive measures forthe cyclone.

    ICG stations, ships and aircraft on Eastern Seaboard are on high alert.

    Coastal Radar Station in the States/UTs of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh,Odisha and West Bengal are continuously relaying messages both in English and vernacular languages alert merchant vessels, fishing boats, fisheries survey vessels, scientific research vessels, oil rigs, accommodation barges and support vessels operating in Offshore Development Areas (ODAs), among others.

    Though fishing ban has been enforced on the east coast, CG ships and aircraft at sea are broadcasting weather warning to fishermen who maybeoperating at sea and directing them to return to the nearest harbour for safety.

    Ships at anchorage have also been advised to monitor weather and takenecessary shelter as a safety measure.

    The Coast Guard is in close liaison with State/UT governments for sensitising the coastal populace, port authorities, oil rig operators for safety of boats,vessels and platforms, the release added.

  • 22 out of 75 missing from sunk barge confirmed dead: Sources 

    The barge #39;Papaa-305 #39; had 261 persons on board when it got caught in the storm.