Terror boat: Twitter abuzz with reactions

As the controversy continues over the alleged ’terror boat’ from Pakistan that was intercepted by the Indian Coast Guard, Twitter is abuzz with reactions on this whole drama as hashtags like terrorboat, Coast Guard were trending on the social media site. Reports have pointed out that the Ministry of Defence has called for a review of the whole operation while other reports have indicated that there was a second boat that escaped allegedly in touch with Pakistani army handlers. [caption id=“attachment_2027659” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] The boat at the centre of the controversy. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] On Twitter, many users who didn’t agree with the first report by Indian Express’s Praveen Swami, which said that the boat was likely engaged in smuggling and not a terror threat, took to the social media site to discredit his report. Some of the tweets that questioned the report are below:

NTRO transcripts suggest Pak boat was under direct command of Pak military. Makes nonsense of articles claiming otherwise

— Minhaz Merchant (@MinhazMerchant) January 3, 2015

What does Praveen Swami know that the Coast Guard doesn't? By @bwoyblunder http://t.co/YosHrC0AUI via @opindia_com

— MANJUL (@MANJULtoons) January 4, 2015

.@ShekharGupta @praveenswami Do petty smugglers blow themselves up? Been a mariner & know a bit about vessels. Not a profile of one targeted

— Sanjay Dixit ಸಂಜಯ್ ದೀಕ್ಷಿತ್ संजय दीक्षित (@Sanjay_Dixit) January 2, 2015

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There also appears to be some sort of India-Pakistan Twitter war. One fake account which claims to be belong to Lt Gen Rizvan Akhtar, the director of ISI Pakistan’s intelligence agency tweeted:

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Meanwhile the Congress party which has questioned the government’s claims over the boat has also come for criticism on Twitter.

Its demoralizing for armed forces when party like congress raise doubt on such operations #terrorboat

— नवीन (@naveenkmehta) January 4, 2015

lol congress asks govt shld come out clean on #terrorboat. is it indian national congress ( @INCIndia ) or (@PNC )

— bhakt4ever (@bhakt4ever) January 4, 2015

However no every one agreed with the government and BJP’s claims. Some users questioned this whole episode and said that the truth needs to come out on the whole episode.

Not sure why BJP's attacking Congress for asking qns about "terror boat". A) That's what opposition parties do. B) *everyone* asking qns.

— Mihir Sharma (@mihirssharma) January 4, 2015

If it was a #terrorboat , great job, Coast Guard. If it was a smuggling boat, still good job. But nation need to know what was the truth.

— Tinu Cherian Abraham (@tinucherian) January 4, 2015

For now it appears that the government has indeed called for a full review of all intercepted communications which led to the boat being apprehended. Perhaps more details will emerge post this review. Until then the commentary on Twitter will continue unabated.