Suspicious boat, 'possibly a Pakistani vessel', spotted in Maharashtra; security beefed up

Police and maritime security agencies have intensified their search for a suspicious boat, "possibly a Pakistani fishing vessel", spotted near Revdanda coast in Maharashtra's Raigad district.

 

The boat was spotted on the Indian Navy's radar on Sunday night, around two nautical miles off the Korlai coast in Revdanda, an official said. 

 

It was "possibly a Pakistani fishing vessel", but the identity and other details will be ascertained once the boat is intercepted, the official said.

 

Security along the coastline in Raigad was stepped up after the vessel was spotted.

 

Following the alert, the Raigad Police, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), Quick Response Team (QRT), the Navy and the Coast Guard personnel rushed to the spot at night and launched the search, the official added.

 

Heavy rain and strong winds came in the way of reaching the boat at night.

 

Raigad Superintendent of Police Anchal Dalal, who reached the coast to monitor the situation, attempted to approach the boat using a barge but had to return due to adverse weather.

 

A large contingent of police was deployed in the area, and overall security in the district was heightened as a precautionary measure, he said.

Maritime