The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Coast Guard have been put on high alert along the international borders in Gujarat after intelligence inputs revealed that Pakistan Navy-trained terrorists and commandos are suspected to have entered the Gulf of Kutch in small boats through Harami Nala creek area.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the Government had received information on infiltration by terrorists from Pakistan. Kumar also asked Pakistan to act like a responsible neighbour.
“Pakistan should behave like a normal neighbour, do normal talk, normal trade...This is not something that is happening from Pakistan. We would like them to behave like normal neighbours, do not push terrorists in the neighbouring country,” Kumar told reporters at the weekly briefing.
According to the inputs, the commandos and terrorists are suspected to be trained in underwater attacks and may be on the prowl to hit port infrastructure and other vital installations in Kutch region of Gujarat.
Following the inputs, all the shipping agents have been directed to inform their vessels at Kandla outer anchorage, inner anchorage and berths besides incoming vessels to alert and maintain anti-terror watch. The agents have been asked to report any suspicious activities immediately to the nearest Coast Guard station, marine police station and port control.
Following the inputs, security has been beefed up at Kandla and Mundra ports and other key installations in Kutch district.
The latest security move comes days after the Indian Navy warned of a possible terror attack from the sea route. Last week, the Navy had said it was on high alert and was prepared to defeat and deter any sea-borne threat with full force.
The Adani Group’s Mundra port is one of the largest in the country and last year topped the rankings by volumes, while the State-run Kandla port (now known as Deendayal Port Trust) is a large bulk handling facility.
Both these ports are located in the Gulf of Kutch in the Arabian Sea, in close vicinity of Pakistan.
The region also boasts of other vital installations like the world’s largest oil refinery at Jamnagar run by Reliance Industries and a similar facility operated by Russian oil major Rosneft at Vadinar.
After the abrogation of Article 370 by Parliament, Pakistan has sought to internationalise the Kashmir issue and has gone on record justifying jehad and terror attacks in the Valley. The Pakistan Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues have been spewing venom against India in their bid to portray the situation in the region as alarmist. Pakistan has even issued nuclear threat.