Goa Issues Alert in The wake of Intelligence Input, Terrorists May Use Sea Route

Panaji, April 7: The Goa Government issued an alert on Friday to all the vessels and casinos operating off the state's coast. The alert was issued after the Indian Coast Guard shared an intelligence input about possible arrival of terrorists on board a fishing trawler.

State's Ports Minister Jayesh Salgaoncar told news agency PTI that his department has issued a warning to all the off shore casinos, water sports operators and barges to be alert as the Indian Coast Guard has shared an intelligence input about a possible terror attack on the western coast. Salgaoncar said, ”The alert is not specific to Goa. It is also for Mumbai and Gujarat coast, but we have alerted the vessels and concerned agencies.” According to the Minister, An Indian fishing trawler, which was seized by Pakistan, has been released and there is intelligence input that on its way back, it may carry terrorists.

As a precaution, the letter has been written to the off shore casinos and cruise vessels, and barges to remain alert in the wake of intelligence input. Captain of Ports, James Braganza communicated the warning to Goa’s tourism department and all the water sports operators, casinos, and cruise vessels and barges through a letter. In the communication Captain of Ports Braganza stated, “Have received intelligence input from District Coast Guard that anti-national elements have boarded an apprehended Indian fishing boat in Karachi and (are) likely to land on Indian coast and attack vital installations.” All vessels to increase security and report any sighting or untoward movement to concerned authorities, the letter states. The letter was also marked to State Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma.

(With inputs from PTI)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 07, 2018 10:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).