Kochi: Around Christmas, a ship that belonged to no specific country, but carrying passengers of Pakistan and Iraq origin was seized as soon as it entered Indian waters near Lakshadweep archipelago, by the ever alert Indian coastal guard “attack vessels” and taken to Karavatty town in the western islands on Sunday, intelligence sources said here.
The ship was travelling aimlessly, carrying passengers to be dumped, not knowing a destination. But once the “stranger” ship entered Indian waters, it was time to catch it by its neck and duly taken for enquiry at the capital of Lakshadweep which has Indian Muslim citizens mostly and a Muslim MP in Parliament.
The ship had 25 Pakistani wanderers. Despite keen-paced enquiry, the detained passengers (3 Iraqis also) were not telling facts about the purpose of their aimless journey.
It is obvious that they did not come here as idle tourists, or an East India Co. traders to the West Coast. Earlier thought to be heading to Southern Maldives (Muslim) island, now it is felt they are on a terrorist mission through Laccadives.
The Indian Navy, defence resistance forces and Coastal guards are carrying out a sharp enquiry into the ship and its employees and travellers.
The “Coastal guards” establishment have come into being just before Christmas day, on Dec 24 and it was inaugurated by none other than A.K Antony, the Defence Minister, even to keep off sea pirates. A special investigation team from Delhi (Defence dept) has rushed to Karavatty, for obvious reasons.
The suspicious looking ship is under Indian siege now. Shabash!