The Maharashtra Police has increased security on the Raigad coast, when the Indian Coast Guard informed the ICG Murud in Raigad district that a ‘suspected’ Pakistani boat has been seen near the Korlai coast.
However, after the police investigation, it was found that the seen ‘suspicious object’ is probably a fishing net, which has a GPS tracker, which is used for ease of saving and removing the trap from drowning. The police gave this information in one of its statement.
According to the police, the Indian Coast Guard has reported that this item has been suspected to be sown with a boat transponder or AIS transponder – perhaps due to sea currents, the Indian water field has flowed.
This panic in security was created when ICG Murud received information from ICG Delhi that a suspected Pakistani boat, ‘Mukadar Boya 99’, whose registered number is MMSI-463800411, was seen in the Arabian Sea 2.5 to 3 knots in the Arabian Sea on Sunday.
In view of the sensitivity of the incident, the Raigad police immediately and actively took action. On receiving the information, the Superintendent of Police (SP), Additional SP, Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and other concerned officials reached the place where they were delayed.
Raigad police immediately came into action, two quick response teams and BDDS (bomb disposal squad) teams were sent to the Revdanda coast, Korlai area, JSW and Salav to carry out patrolling and search operations.
According to the police, armed posts (19) were established in all the police station areas of the district, especially in coastal and bay areas. Suspected vehicles and individuals were thoroughly investigated. All hotels, lodges and resorts of the district were searched.
In view of the seriousness of the case, all the coastal and police station officers of the Gulf region were instructed to deploy adequate manpower to conduct a search on landing points and coastline. Local fishermen and residents were taken into confidence and directed to help them identify any suspected boat or person.
Hotels, lodges, resorts, homestays and roadside restaurants located along the shore and bay were intensively inspected. Police said police were deployed at ghats, deserted places, islands, checkposts and landing points.
A search operation was carried out in the sea using their ships using their ships in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard. All police stations inspected suspicious places under their jurisdiction. The Indian Navy, Customs, Maharashtra Marine Board and Fisheries Department were also coordinated to gather more information and intensify the search for suspected boat.
Police said a joint inspection was conducted with the fisheries department, focusing on boats standing on the coast, on the ghats and in the Gulf/Coastal areas.
Blockade and deployment on all marine outposts, remote places and checkposts were strengthened. Drone was monitored by the fisheries and forest departments of Alibaug in the Korlai coastal area. Marine patrolling was increased and officials of government fisheries institutions were informed and included.
The Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate has been alerted and instructions have been given to increase vigilance and to conduct a thorough investigation. Police said in a statement that neighboring district police units have also been warned.
Coordination and special operations were planned, including Indian Coast Guard, Navy, Customs, Fisheries Department, Maharashtra Marine Board and Marine Police Force. The Coast Guard also performed aerial monitoring using helicopters.
Raigad police also deployed 52 officers and 554 constables in various teams who actively participated in this search operation.
According to the police, it is revealed that the suspicious object is probably sown of fishing nets, which is used by GPS tracker, which is used for ease of drowning and removing the net from drowning. Police said a similar incident took place on January 3, 2025, when such a sow was found in Okha, Gujarat.
