Indian Coast Guard Stops Pakistani Fishing Boat in Arabian Sea; Nine Crew Held

New Delhi: The Indian Coast Guard stopped a Pakistani fishing boat after it was spotted inside Indian waters in the Arabian Sea, officials said on Thursday.

How Did the Interception Happen?

The vessel, identified as Al-Madina, was seen near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) on January 14 during a routine patrol. 

Coast Guard ships challenged the boat when it was found inside Indian waters. Instead of stopping, the vessel tried to return toward Pakistan. The patrol team pursued it and eventually boarded the boat at night. 

In a post on X, Indian Coast Guard said, "India Coast Guard Ship whilst on patrol in Arabian sea sighted a Pakistani Fishing Boat inside Indian waters near the International Maritime Boundary Line on 14 Jan 26. On being challenged, the boat attempted to flee towards Pakistan side, however, the ICG Ship intercepted and boarded the boat in Indian waters."

Who Was on Board and What Next?

There were nine people on board the Pakistani boat. All were taken into custody. The Coast Guard is now towing Al-Madina to Porbandar port in Gujarat. There, officials from various agencies will search the boat thoroughly and question the crew to understand why it entered Indian waters.

"A total of 09 crew were found in the Pakistani boat, AL-MADINA. The boat is being towed to Porbandar by ICG Ship for thorough rummaging and joint interrogation by concerned agencies," ICG wrote in the post.  

A Gujarat defence spokesperson confirmed the details, saying the operation highlighted the Coast Guard’s vigilance. The interception and boarding were carried out swiftly and without reported incident, reinforcing India’s effort to guard its maritime borders. 

Taking to X, Defence PRO Gujarat said, "The operation reaffirms India Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment to secure Bharat’s maritime frontiers through relentless vigil and law enforcement across the nation’s maritime domain." 

Is This a One-Off or Part of a Pattern?

Similar incidents have taken place before. Last year, Indian maritime authorities also stopped a Pakistani vessel after it was found inside Indian waters without permission. Those fishermen were brought to Jakhau port for questions and checks.

Officials say guarding the sea boundary remains a priority amid ongoing regional tensions and increased focus on maritime security.