Law enforcement and maritime security agencies have ramped up their efforts to locate a suspicious vessel, reportedly “possibly a Pakistani fishing boat,” that was sighted off the Revdanda coastline in Maharashtra’s Raigad district.
The operation was launched after the vessel appeared on the Indian Navy’s radar system on Sunday night, around two nautical miles from the Korlai coast near Revdanda, according to officials cited by news agency PTI.
While the identity and origin of the vessel have not yet been confirmed, initial reports from authorities suggest that it could be a Pakistani fishing boat. Officials emphasised that further verification would be carried out once the vessel is successfully intercepted. Preliminary assessments indicate the vessel may have drifted toward the Raigad coast, possibly due to weather conditions, including heavy rain, strong winds or navigational issues, though its true intent remains unclear.
Security measures along the Raigad coastline have been heightened following the sighting of the vessel.
In response to the alert, personnel from the Raigad Police, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), Quick Response Team (QRT), as well as naval and Coast Guard units, promptly arrived at the location during the night and initiated a search operation, reported PTI.
Raigad Superintendent of Police Anchal Dalal, along with senior police officials, personally visited the site to monitor the situation and direct the ongoing search operation. In an attempt to get closer to the suspected vessel, Dalal boarded a barge, but the worsening weather forced her to return before reaching the target area.
Dalal herself attempted to approach the boat using a barge but had to return due to adverse weather, the official said, reported PTI.
To ensure public safety and prevent any potential threat, a large police contingent was deployed across the area. Security measures throughout the Raigad district were simultaneously heightened, with coastal surveillance being increased and additional patrolling teams being mobilised, as per PTI.
In November 2008, 10 heavily armed terrorists sailed towards the Mumbai coastline from Pakistan under the cover of darkness and created mayhem for three days in the state capital, leaving 166 persons dead and several others injured.
(With PTI inputs)
