Sri Vijaya Puram, July 24: An intelligence-based maritime operation by the Indian Coast Guard and the Forest Department resulted in the seizure of illegal arms and ammunition from a fishing boat off the Sundarbans coast, with four Indian crew members detained as authorities launched an investigation into the suspected trafficking network.
The interception was carried out on July 22 after the Indian Coast Guard received credible intelligence regarding a suspicious Indian fishing vessel operating in the area. Acting on the information, the Coast Guard coordinated with the Forest Department to locate and intercept the boat.
During the operation, security personnel boarded the fishing vessel and recovered a cache of illegal arms and ammunition. Four Indian crew members on board were detained for questioning.
Authorities have initiated further investigations to determine the source of the seized weapons, their intended destination and whether the case has any connection to cross-border trafficking networks.
The Indian Coast Guard said the operation formed part of its intelligence-driven efforts to prevent unlawful activities in India’s maritime domain and strengthen coastal security.
According to the Coast Guard, the successful interception reflects its continued focus on disrupting trans-border trafficking networks through coordinated surveillance and timely operational response.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the Forest Department as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard India’s maritime borders and curb illegal activities at sea.
Officials have not disclosed further details regarding the quantity or type of arms and ammunition recovered during the operation.
The detained crew members remain under investigation as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the movement of the fishing vessel and the recovered weapons.
The Indian Coast Guard said legal proceedings in the case are underway while the investigation continues to establish the full scope of the operation and identify any possible links associated with the seizure.
