Murud: In a bid to tighten coastal security and increase vigil, the Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday commissioned two interceptor boats at Agardanda near Murud-Janjira.
The ICGS C-433 and C-434 will be the first interceptor boats to join the Coast Guard along the Murud-Janjira coast. Their commissioning comes two months prior to the seventh anniversary of the 2008 26/11 terror attacks, when terrorists had entered the city through the sea route.
Inspector General K.R. Nautiyal, Commander Coast Guard Region (West) said, “The area is extremely sensitive to us considering its proximity to important ports and, of course, Mumbai. The vessels have speed and excellent navigation equipment on board, and will be important tools in patrolling the coast, search-and-rescue operations and to check smuggling.”
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The interceptor boats will be based at Murud-Janjira under the Administrative and Operational control of the Station Commander, ICGS Murud-Janjira. They will be commanded by Deputy Commandants Jasprit Singh Dhillon and Jahid Arfan respectively. Both boats will have a crew of 12 Enrolled Personnel each.