Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, May 19: A mysterious boat sighted around 22 nautical miles off Gujarat’s Jafrabad coast has triggered a major security alert along India’s western shoreline. The unidentified vessel’s presence prompted an urgent response from maritime forces, with the Indian Coast Guard, Navy, and marine police launching a coordinated search operation on Sunday.
The alert was first sounded by local fishermen, who noticed the vessel displaying suspicious behavior. Communicating through wireless radio, they informed their captain, who swiftly alerted the Jafrabad Boat Association. The association, acting promptly, relayed the information to the Indian Coast Guard.
In response, the Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to investigate. Preliminary observations revealed that the boat, initially heading toward Daman, abruptly changed course and attempted to escape upon spotting the aerial unit.
Eyewitness accounts from fishermen confirmed that several individuals were aboard the vessel, further escalating security concerns. Kanaiyalal Solanki, President of the Jafrabad Boat Association, stated that local fishermen are actively assisting authorities and maintaining heightened vigilance at sea.
To assess the situation firsthand, local MLA Hira Solanki visited Jafrabad port and held direct communication with fishermen operating in the region. Following the incident, security has been ramped up at all coastal access points, with intensified patrols by Pipavav Marine Police and close monitoring of maritime traffic.
As of Sunday evening, details about the boat’s origin, its occupants, and its intentions remain unclear. Authorities have yet to issue a formal statement, but the investigation is ongoing. Fishermen have been advised to remain alert and promptly report any further unusual activity along the coast.
A Vulnerable Coastal Frontier
Jafrabad, situated in Gujarat’s Amreli district along the Arabian Sea, is recognized as a sensitive area in terms of coastal defense. Its strategic location, close to the Pakistan border, and infrastructural limitations make it particularly vulnerable to maritime security breaches.
The India-Pakistan maritime boundary in the Arabian Sea is not clearly demarcated and remains difficult to patrol consistently. The proximity of Pakistan’s Sindh region to Gujarat’s coast enables rapid movement by small or fast vessels across the water, often within a matter of hours.
Gujarat’s coastline, stretching over 1,600 kilometers, includes numerous isolated and lightly supervised areas. Smaller ports like Jafrabad often lack sophisticated surveillance systems, unlike major harbors, making them easier for unauthorized vessels to approach unnoticed.
The situation is further complicated by overlapping fishing zones between Indian and Pakistani waters. Fishermen from both countries frequently operate in nearby areas, and the absence of visible maritime borders often leads to unintentional — or in some cases, deliberate — border crossings.
This complex mix of vast and porous sea borders, uneven maritime infrastructure, and modest security presence makes regions like Jafrabad potential entry points for suspicious or unauthorized vessels. The recent incident underscores the critical need for enhanced surveillance and inter-agency coordination to safeguard India’s vulnerable coastal stretches.