Gujarat coast on high alert after Pulwama terror attack

AHMEDABAD: With reports of infiltration by terrorists based in Pakistan pouring in from central intelligence agencies, the Gujarat coast has been put on high alert. The 1,600km long Gujarat coastline is closes to Pakistan waters and has been used by terrorists in 1993 and 2008 to enter the country and strike Mumbai.

S S Trivedi, IGP, said that nine coastal states and four Union territories have been put on alert following the recent attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama.“Our 22 marine police stations and 71 coastal checkposts and outposts are on high alert,” he added.
“We have 30 speedboats jointly patrolling with ICG and BSF on the coastline. In addition, we have also activated our human intelligence network in coastal areas to track suspicious movements” Trivedi said.
Additional DGP Shamsher Singh who oversees Gujarat Marine Task Force (GMTF) said nine teams have been deployed at nine strategic locations of Yogeshwar, Jakhau , Gandhidham, Okha, Porbandar, Mangrol, Dahej, Dandi, Umargam and Pipavav.
Singh said that following the Pulwama terror attack they are keeping a strict watch on movement of boats and larger vessels in coordination with Gujarat Marine Police, Indian Coast Guard, Navy and BSF especially in Kutch area.
Security on inhabited islands in Indian waters has been beefed up to flush out any terrorists who may have been hiding there, said a senior government official.
The GMTF has a base at Naliya in Kutch where 100 commandos, who are at par with National Security Guards (NSG) are under training at any given time.
“It is mandatory for every jawan and official of GMTF to undergo a three-month training to be fit and ready to strike whenever required. We are also in the process of taking the institution forward in terms of training and infrastructure,” Singh said.