Govt to release report on suspected Pakistani boat in 3-4 days: Parrikar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday night said he was sure that the people on the boat intercepted on the night of 31 December did not have noble intentions. [caption id=“attachment_2031281” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the people on the boat did not have noble intentions. PTI[/caption] Parrikar also said that a report would be released in a few days after investigation. “I can’t know what was in the boat. So, I don’t want to speculate. But I’m sure about one thing: The people on the boat did not have noble intentions.” Parrikar, in another statement had said, “The boat was in constant touch with various authorities which are located in Pakistan and linked with Pakistani naval maritime security agencies.” Earlier, at a press conference on Monday, Parrikar had said, “I think they were suspected terrorists as they committed suicide. A normal boat even carrying drugs can surrender.” “Why would smugglers stay in touch with Pakistani maritime authorities? Furthermore, why would they commit suicide?” he had questioned. “The people on the boat decided to blow themselves up instead of surrendering. Smugglers can always surrender the drugs.” The defence minister had also lauded that Coast Guard for their effort and said they did the right job at the right time. “The Indian Coast Guard reacted immediately. The boat was on surveillance for 12 hours and it was intercepted as soon as possible,” Parrikar had said. He had pointed out that the the location of the boat was not on the normal sea route and smugglers usually take the busy route so that they can mingle with fishing boats. The Pakistani fishing boat, which was said to be carrying explosives, was intercepted on the intervening night of 31 December and 1 January around 365-km off the Porbandar coast, before it exploded and caught fire and sunk with four crew members on board. The Coast Guard is currently searching the spot where the boat sank. (With agency inputs)