Ahead of summits, high alert in Gujarat

The Gujarat police sounded an alert in the state, particularly in the coastal areas, after the Indian Coast Guard chased and intercepted a Pakistani boat which eventually blew itself up.

The Gujarat police sounded an alert in the state, particularly in the coastal areas, after the Indian Coast Guard chased and intercepted a Pakistani boat which eventually blew itself up.

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The incident, which occurred on the eve of the New Year, assumes significance as two high-profile events: the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD) and the Vibrant Gujarat global summit are being held in the state from January 7th to 12th.

Following the incident, the state authorities have sounded a high alert in the state and have tightened security across the state.

"Gujarat police is already on alert due to the upcoming summit. Though the Pakistani boat was spotted almost 360 km away from Porbandar, I have asked the IG of coastal security to keep a strict vigil across Gujarat coast and supervise the whole security setup in co-ordination with coast guard, navy as well as BSF," said Gujarat director general of police (DGP) PC Thakur.

Even the Border Security force (BSF) and its water wing have stepped up vigil in the border areas.

A high-ranking BSF official said the force has been putting in extra efforts to ensure that no terrorist incident took place ahead of the summit.

Defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday complimented the Indian Coast Guard for intercepting a suspicious Pakistani fishing boat apparently loaded with explosives.

On his official Facebook page, Parrikar wrote: "I congratulate Coast Guard for timely action of intercepting a boat carrying suspected terror groups with surgical precision, thereby eliminating danger."

"Need to be vigilant," the minister added.

Earlier, an official statement said Parrikar "complimented the Indian Coast Guard and those involved in the operation for intercepting the rogue vessel off the coast of Gujarat, in a timely and precise manner, thereby, averting a possible danger".

In a blatant reminder of the 26/11 terror attack, the Coast Guard in a dramatic chase intercepted and stopped the boat, which blew up in the sea and sank off Gujarat late Wednesday night.

(With Agency inputs)