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Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘It drifted into Indian waters': Maharashtra minister on suspicious object from Pakistan
Maharashtra minister Yogesh Kadam on Tuesday said that a "suspicious" Pakistan buoy, which was spotted in Indian waters near the Revdanda coast in Maharashtra's Raigad, a day ago, did not have anybody onboard, adding that an inquiry has been initiated in the matter. Maharashtra police tightened security along Raigad coastline after being informed by the India Coast Guard about a "suspicious object" near the coast.(Google Maps/Representative Image) "A part of the Pakistani ship, a buoy, was missing, and it drifted into the Indian waters due to sea currents. No one has entered our borders. Our coast guard security is quite competent, and we are definitely alert. Inquiry is underway," said the minister. Maharashtra Police tightened security along the Raigad coastline after being informed by the India Coast Guard on July 6 that a "suspicious object" was spotted near the Korlai coast in the jurisdiction of Raigad district police. The security scare came after the Indian Coast Guard Security in New Delhi alerted the Coast Guard in Murud that a Pakistani boat named 'Muqadar Boya 99' was spotted approximately 2.5 to 3 nautical miles in the Arabian Sea offshore near the Korlai coast, the Raigad district police said in a statement. Following the alert, teams from Raigad Police, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), Quick Response Team (QRT), the Navy and the Coast Guard rushed to the spot. "Upon receiving the intel, the Superintendent of Police (SP) along with Additional SP, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), and other related officers rushed to the given coordinates without delay," the Raigad Police said. A total of 19 armed checkpoints were established across all police station areas in the district, especially along the coastal and creek regions. Suspicious vehicles and persons were thoroughly checked. Searches were also conducted in all hotels, lodges, and resorts in the district, police said. With coordination from the Indian Coast Guard, search operations were carried out in the sea using their vessels. Further, police said that coordination was also done with the Indian Navy, Customs, Maharashtra Maritime Board, and Fisheries Department to gather more information and intensify the search for the suspicious boat. Drone surveillance was conducted in the Korlai coastal area by the Fisheries and Forest Departments of Alibag and marine patrolling was increased with the Coast Guard also conducted aerial surveillance using helicopters, Raigad Police said. Raigad Police also deployed 52 officers and 554 constables in various teams actively participating in search operation and to prevent any possible infiltration and sabotage through the sea route. Alongside, Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate was alerted and instructed to increase vigilance and conduct thorough checks. Neighbouring district police units were also warned, police said in the statement. Meanwhile, Raigad Police said that as per information received, the "suspicious object" spotted in Indian waters is likely a fishing net buoy fitted with a GPS tracker, used to prevent nets from sinking and to ease retrieval. The Indian Coast Guard reported that the object - suspected as a boat transponder or buoy with AIS (Automatic Identification System) transponder – likely drifted into Indian waters due to sea currents. According to the Police, a similar incident had occurred earlier on January 3, this year when a similar buoy was found in Gujarat's Okha.
Mint
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Maharashtra minister Yogesh Kadam claims ‘Pak buoy drifted into Indian waters due to sea currents'; probe underway
A "suspicious" Pakistan buoy, which was seen in Indian waters near the Revdanda coast in Maharashtra's Raigad, a day ago, had no individual onboard and an inquiry has been launched into the case, according to Maharashtra minister Yogesh Kadam on Tuesday. He claimed, 'A part of the Pakistani ship, a buoy, was missing, and it drifted into the Indian waters due to sea currents. No one has entered our borders. Our coast guard security is quite competent, and we are definitely alert. Inquiry is underway.' This follows the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Security in New Delhi informing the Coast Guard in Murud that a Pakistani boat called 'Muqadar Boya 99' was visible nearly 2.5 to 3 nautical miles in the Arabian Sea offshore near the Korlai coast, the Raigad district police mentioned in a statement. Maharashtra Police has strengthened security along the Raigad coastline after they got to know from the ICG on July 6 that a "suspicious object" was noticed near the Korlai coast in the jurisdiction of Raigad district police. Raigad Police, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), Quick Response Team (QRT), the Navy and the Coast Guard teams reached the spot after being aware of the incident. The Raigad police stated, 'Upon receiving the intel, the Superintendent of Police (SP) along with Additional SP, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), and other related officers rushed to the given coordinates without delay.' A total of 19 armed checkpoints were set-up at all police stations areas covering the district, particularly along the coastal and creek regions. Vehicles and persons which the officials had doubt on were properly assessed. Searches also took place in all lodges, hotels and resorts in the district, police added. Search operations at sea were conducted with support from the ICG, utilising their vessels. Additionally, the police coordinated with the Indian Navy, Customs, Maharashtra Maritime Board, and Fisheries Department to gather further intelligence and ramp up the search for the suspicious boat. Drone surveillance was carried out in the Korlai coastal region by the Fisheries and Forest Departments of Alibag, while marine patrolling was stepped up. The Coast Guard also conducted aerial reconnaissance using helicopters, according to Raigad Police. To bolster security and prevent any possible infiltration or sabotage via the sea route, Raigad Police positioned 52 officers and 554 constables across multiple teams as part of the operation. Meanwhile, the Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate was put on alert and ordered to enhance vigilance and hold thorough inspections. Police also issued warnings to units in neighbouring districts, the statement further said. Raigad Police said that as per information received, the "suspicious object" spotted in Indian waters is likely a fishing net buoy fitted with a GPS tracker, used to prevent nets from sinking and to ease retrieval. The ICG said that the object, suspected as a boat transponder or buoy with Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder, possibly drifted into Indian waters due to sea currents. On January 3 this year, a similar incident had taken place, when a similar buoy was discovered in Gujarat's Okha.
India Gazette
08-07-2025
- India Gazette
Suspected Pakistan boat off Raigad coast likely to be fishing net buoy
Raigad (Maharashtra) [India], July 8 (ANI): Maharashtra Police beefed up the security along the Raigad coastline after the Indian Coast Guard informed the ICG Murud in the Raigad district that a 'suspicious' Pakistani boat had been spotted 2.5 to 3 nautical miles offshore near the Korlai coast. However, after the police investigation, it was discovered that the 'suspicious object' spotted is likely a fishing net buoy fitted with a GPS tracker, used to prevent nets from sinking and to facilitate retrieval, police said in a statement. According to the police, the Indian Coast Guard has reported that the object--suspected as a boat transponder or buoy with AIS transponder--likely drifted into Indian waters due to sea currents. The security scare-off came after the ICG Murud received information from ICG Delhi that a suspicious Pakistani boat, 'Muqadar Boya 99', with registered number MMSI-463800411, was spotted 2.5 to 3 nautical miles in the Arabian Sea on Sunday. Given the sensitive nature of the incident, Raigad Police responded immediately and proactively. Upon receiving the intel, the Superintendent of Police (SP), along with Additional SP, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), and other related officers, rushed to the given coordinates without delay. The Raigad Police immediately jumped into action, two quick response teams and BDDS (Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad) teams were dispatched to Revdanda coast, Korlai area, JSW, and Salav to conduct patrolling and search operations. According to police, armed checkpoints (a total of 19) were established across all police station areas in the district, especially along the coastal and creek regions. Suspicious vehicles and persons were thoroughly checked. All hotels, lodges, and resorts in the district were searched. Given the seriousness, all coastal and creek-area police station officers were instructed to deploy adequate manpower at landing points and along the coastline to conduct search operations. Local fishermen and residents were taken into confidence and instructed to assist in identifying any suspicious boats or individuals. Thorough inspections of hotels, lodges, resorts, homestays, and roadside eateries along the coast and creeks were conducted. Police were deployed at jetties, deserted locations, islands, checkposts, and landing points, the police said. With coordination from the Indian Coast Guard, search operations were carried out in the sea using their vessels. All police stations conducted inspections of suspicious locations in their jurisdiction. Coordination was also done with the Indian Navy, Customs, Maharashtra Maritime Board, and Fisheries Department to gather more information and intensify the search for the suspicious boat. Joint inspections with the Fisheries Department were carried out, focusing on boats anchored at the shore, at jetties, and in creek/coastal areas, the police said. Blockades and deployments were reinforced at all marine outposts, remote locations, and checkposts. Drone surveillance was conducted in the Korlai coastal area by the Fisheries and Forest Departments of Alibag. Marine patrolling was increased, and officials from government fisheries institutions were informed and involved. The Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate was alerted and instructed to increase vigilance and conduct thorough checks. Neighbouring district police units were also warned, police said in the statement. Coordination and special operations were planned involving the Indian Coast Guard, Navy, Customs, Fisheries Dept., Maharashtra Maritime Board, and Marine Police Force. The Coast Guard also conducted aerial surveillance using helicopters. Raigad Police also deployed 52 officers and 554 constables in various teams actively participating in this search operation. According to the police, it was discovered that the suspicious object spotted is likely a fishing net buoy fitted with a GPS tracker, used to prevent nets from sinking and to ease retrieval. A similar incident occurred earlier on January 3, 2025, when such a buoy was found at Okha, Gujarat, the police added. (ANI)
India Gazette
08-07-2025
- India Gazette
"Pak buoy drifted into Indian waters due to sea currents": Maharashtra minister says inquiry initiated
Raigad (Maharashtra) [India], July 8 (ANI): Maharashtra minister Yogesh Kadam on Tuesday said that a 'suspicious' Pakistan buoy, which was spotted in Indian waters near the Revdanda coast in Maharashtra's Raigad, a day ago, did not have anybody onboard, adding that an inquiry has been initiated in the matter. 'A part of the Pakistani ship, a buoy, was missing, and it drifted into the Indian waters due to sea currents. No one has entered our borders. Our coast guard security is quite competent, and we are definitely alert. Inquiry is underway,' said the minister Kadam. Maharashtra Police tightened security along the Raigad coastline after being informed by the India Coast Guard on July 6 that a 'suspicious object' was spotted near the Korlai coast in the jurisdiction of Raigad district police. The security scare came after the Indian Coast Guard Security in New Delhi alerted the Coast Guard in Murud that a Pakistani boat named 'Muqadar Boya 99' was spotted approximately 2.5 to 3 nautical miles in the Arabian Sea offshore near the Korlai coast, the Raigad district police said in a statement. Following the alert, teams from Raigad Police, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), Quick Response Team (QRT), the Navy and the Coast Guard rushed to the spot. 'Upon receiving the intel, the Superintendent of Police (SP) along with Additional SP, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), and other related officers rushed to the given coordinates without delay,' the Raigad Police said. A total of 19 armed checkpoints were established across all police station areas in the district, especially along the coastal and creek regions. Suspicious vehicles and persons were thoroughly checked. Searches were also conducted in all hotels, lodges, and resorts in the district, police said. With coordination from the Indian Coast Guard, search operations were carried out in the sea using their vessels. Further, police said that coordination was also done with the Indian Navy, Customs, Maharashtra Maritime Board, and Fisheries Department to gather more information and intensify the search for the suspicious boat. Drone surveillance was conducted in the Korlai coastal area by the Fisheries and Forest Departments of Alibag and marine patrolling was increased with the Coast Guard also conducted aerial surveillance using helicopters ,Raigad Police said. Raigad Police also deployed 52 officers and 554 constables in various teams actively participating in search operation and to prevent any possible infiltration and sabotage through the sea route. Alongside, Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate was alerted and instructed to increase vigilance and conduct thorough checks. Neighbouring district police units were also warned, police said in the statement. Meanwhile, Raigad Police said that as per information received, the 'suspicious object' spotted in Indian waters is likely a fishing net buoy fitted with a GPS tracker, used to prevent nets from sinking and to ease retrieval. The Indian Coast Guard reported that the object- suspected as a boat transponder or buoy with AIS (Automatic Identification System) transponder--likely drifted into Indian waters due to sea currents. According to the Police, a similar incident had occured earlier on January 3, this year when a similar buoy was found in Gujarat's Okha. (ANI)
News18
08-07-2025
- News18
Fishing Net Buoy From Pakistani Boat Triggered High Alert Off Raigad Coast: Sources
Last Updated: A GPS signal from a drifting Pakistani fishing buoy was activated in Indian waters near Raigad, prompting a high-level alert, sources said. Hours after a suspicious boat was spotted in the Arabian Sea in Maharashtra's Raigad district, sources told CNN-News18 that the agencies had informed the local police about a GPS from Pakistan being activated in the waters. As a high alert was sounded and a search operation was launched, it was later known that a fishing net buoy, belonging to a Pakistani boat, had drifted into the Indian waters. The fishing net buoy was identified with an Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) transponder. Meanwhile, Raigad Superintendent of Police Aanchal Dalal told news agency PTI that the sensitive operation had not been called off, considering the high-alert situation. On Sunday night, the Indian Coast Guard informed the police that the suspected Pakistani boat, 'Muqadar Boya 99" with a boat number MMSI-463800411 was spotted near Korlai Fort, prompting an intensified search operation. The vessel was spotted on the Indian Navy's radar, around two nautical miles off the Korlai coast in Revdanda, officials had said. The potential security scare sent agencies into a tizzy as 10 terrorists from Pakistan had sailed in a boat to reach the Mumbai coastline under the cover of darkness and launched a deadly terror attack in November 2008, killing 166 people. Following the alert, the Raigad Police, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), Quick Response Team (QRT), Navy, and Coast Guard personnel rushed to the spot at night and launched the search. QRTs and the BDDS teams patrolled the coast at Korlai and Salav while security along the coastline in Raigad was stepped up. Police stated that a drone of the fisheries department was used for surveillance while a Coast Guard helicopter was deployed to patrol the coastal area. As many as 52 police officers and 554 personnel of the Raigad Police had joined the search for the suspicious vessel. The search was intensified with the help of the Coast Guard, Navy, and Maharashtra Maritime Security in the morning hours. The Coast Guard informed the police that it was a fishing buoy. Following a search operation of over 20 hours, the police discovered that the suspected fishing boat was in Karachi. Police stated that a similar fishing buoy from Okha had drifted to the Gujarat coast on January 3. On the ground, armed police put up security blockades at 19 spots in Raigad district, while searches were conducted to identify suspicious vehicles or persons.
