The alert is also for Mumbai and Gujarat and vessels and concerned agencies have been duly informed.

State's Ports Minister Jayesh Salgaoncar said that his department has issued a warning to all the off shore casinos, water sports operators and barges to be alert as the Indian Coast Guard has shared an intelligence input about a possible terror attack on the western coast. (Photo: Representational | PTI)

Panaji: Goa issued an alert on Friday to all the vessels and casinos operating off the state's coast following an intelligence input about possible arrival of terrorists on board a fishing trawler, the state's ports minister said.

State's Ports Minister Jayesh Salgaoncar said that his department has issued a warning to all the off shore casinos, water sports operators and barges to be alert as the Indian Coast Guard has shared an intelligence input about a possible terror attack on the western coast.

The alert is not specific to Goa. It is also for Mumbai and Gujarat coast, but we have alerted the vessels and concerned agencies, Salgaoncar said.

An Indian fishing trawler, which was seized by Pakistan, has been released and there is intelligence input that on its way back, it may carry terrorists, the minister said.

State's Ports Department has written to the off shore casinos and cruise vessels, and barges to remain alert in the wake of the intelligence input.

"Have received intelligence input from District Coast Guard that anti-national elements have boarded an apprehended Indian fishing boat in Karachi and (are) likely to land on Indian coast and attack vital installations," states the communication by Captain of Ports James Braganza to Goa's tourism department and all the water sports operators, casinos, and cruise vessels and barges.

All vessels to increase security and report any sighting or untoward movement to concerned authorities, the letter states.

When contacted, James Braganza confirmed sending the letter to all the concerned people. The letter was also marked to State Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma. </s> On April 7, Goa was put on high alert following an intelligence input about a possibility where Pakistan based terrorists on board a fishing trawler might try to infiltrate the Indian land through waters. Following the inputs, the Goa’s ports minister issued alerts to all the vessels and casinos operating in Goa. Commenting on the matter, Ports Minister Jayesh Salgaoncar said that an alert was issued by his office to all the off shore casinos, water sports operators and barges. As per reports, the alerts were issued after Indian Coast Guard had shared an input of a possible attack on the western coast.

The threat is not just limited to Goa and might extend to Mumbai or Gujarat coast. Talking to PTI, Goa ports minister said, “The alert is not specific to Goa. It can be even to Mumbai or Gujarat coast, but we have alerted the vessels and concerned agencies.” He further added that Pakistan has released a fishing trawler into the waters which is carries a possibility of having terrorists onboard. The Indian fishing trawler was earlier seized by Pakistan. As per intelligence inputs, the fishing trawler has been released by the neighbours and is said to be on its way to India.

Following the inputs, State’s Ports Department wrote to the off shore casinos and other vessels to remain on alert till any update comes. The alert issued read, “Have received intelligence input from District Coast Guard that anti-national elements have boarded an apprehended Indian fishing boat in Karachi and (are) likely to land on Indian coast and attack vital installations.” The letter said that all vessels to increase security and report any sighting or untoward movement to concerned authorities.

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ALSO READ: Uttar Pradesh to get New Ayodhya, Yogi Adityanath plans 500-acre township worth Rs 350 crore </s> Panaji: Goa today issued an alert to all the vessels and casinos operating off the state’s coast following an intelligence input about possible arrival of terrorists on board a fishing trawler, the state’s ports minister said.

State’s Ports Minister Jayesh Salgaoncar told PTI that his department has issued a warning to all the offshore casinos, water sports operators and barges to be alert as the Indian Coast Guard has shared an intelligence input about a possible terror attack on the western coast.

“The alert is not specific to Goa. It can be even to Mumbai or Gujarat coast, but we have alerted the vessels and concerned agencies,” Salgaoncar said.

“A fishing trawler from India which was seized by Pakistan has been released and there is intelligence input that on its way back, it may carry terrorists,” the minister said.

State’s Ports Department has written to the off shore casinos and cruise vessels, and barges to remain alert in the wake of the intelligence input.

“Have received intelligence input from District Coast Guard that anti-national elements have boarded an apprehended Indian fishing boat in Karachi and (are) likely to land on Indian coast and attack vital installations,” states the communication by Captain of Ports James Braganza to Goa’s tourism department and all the water sports operators, casinos, and cruise vessels and barges.

“All vessels to increase security and report any sighting or untoward movement to concerned authorities,” the letter states.

When contacted, Braganza confirmed sending the letter today to all the people concerned. The letter was also marked to State Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma. </s> The Southern Indian state of Goa has sounded an alert to all ships and casinos operating off the state's coast after an intelligence agency warned about a possible terror attack from the sea.

The alert was issued by the state's ports minister Jayesh Salgaonkar Friday. Salgaonkar added that the alert is not specific to Goa, PTI reported.

"It is also for Mumbai and Gujarat coast," he added.

Terrorists might come on board a fishing boat

Salgaonkar said the warning concerns all offshore casinos, water sports operators, and barges. The intelligence input was from the Indian Coast Guard and warned about the possible arrival of terrorists to the western coast on board a fishing trawler.

"A fishing trawler from India which was seized by Pakistan has been released and there is intelligence input that on its way back, it may carry terrorists," the minister said.

The captain of ports, James Braganza, also echoed the same alert. "Have received intelligence input from District Coast Guard that anti-national elements have boarded an apprehended Indian fishing boat in Karachi and (are) likely to land on Indian coast and attack vital installations," Braganza told the news agency.

Security instructions given to cruises and boats

Goa's tourism department and all the water sports operators, offshore casinos and cruise vessels and barges are now to remain on alert.

In a letter sent to the owners and managers of the ships and casinos, the ministry has asked them to increase the security of the vessels and report any sighting or untoward movement to concerned authorities.

The letter was also sent to Goa's chief secretary Dharmendra Sharma. </s> Agency

 PANJIM: Goa on Friday issued an alert to all the vessels and casinos operating off the state’s coast following an intelligence input about possible arrival of terrorists on board a fishing trawler, the state’s ports minister said.

 State’s Ports Minister Jayesh Salgaoncar told PTI that his department has issued a warning to all the off shore casinos, water sports operators and barges to be alert as the Indian Coast Guard has shared an intelligence input about a possible terror attack on the western coast. “The alert is not specific to Goa. It </s> A high-alert has been issued in Goa following intercepts suggesting a terror attack. An alert suggesting sea-borne terrorists could attack the state has led to heightened security in the state.

Goa's Ports Minister Jayesh Salgaoncar said that his department had issued a warning to all the shore casinos, water sports operators and barges to be alert. The directive came in the wake of the Indian Coast Guard sharing an intelligence input about a possible terror attack on the western coast.

"The alert is not specific to Goa. It can be even to Mumbai or Gujarat coast, but we have alerted the vessels and concerned agencies," Salgaoncar said.

"A fishing trawler from India which was seized by Pakistan has been released and there is intelligence input that on its way back, it may carry terrorists," the minister said.

For breaking news & Instant updates throughout the day </s> Manohar Parrikar-led Goa government on Friday sounded alert to all fishing vehicles and casinos operating off the state’s coast after an intelligence input about a possible terror attack. (IE)

Manohar Parrikar-led Goa government on Friday sounded alert to all fishing vehicles and casinos operating off the state’s coast after an intelligence input about a possible terror attack. The state’s Ports Minister Jayesh Salgaoncar said that Indian Coast Guard has shared an intelligence input about a possible terror attack on the western coast. Following which, his department has issued a warning to all the offshore casinos, water sports operators and barges to be alert.

Here are the top developments you should know about the alert:

1. Fishing vessels and casinos along the coast put on high security to fend off possible terror attack.

2. According to Indian Coast Guard, terrorists may arrive on board a fishing trawler.

3. Ports Minister also informed that Pakistani authorities had seized an Indian fishing trawler and according to intelligence it may carry terrorists on its way back to India.

4. The alert has been registered along the entire western coast – from Gujarat to Goa.

5. Salgaoncar said that the alert is not restricted to Goa but has been sounded along Mumbai and Gujarat coasts too.

6. In the wake of the alert Goa’s Ports Department has written to the offshore casinos and cruise vessels, and barges.

7. The Goa department of ports implemented the alert after Goa tourism received a letter of alert from Captain of Ports James Braganza.

8. The letter said that he received intelligence from District Coast Guard that anti-national elements boarded the Indian vessel apprehended in Karachi and may attack vital installations.

9. Braganza in his reports also asked the vessels to tighten security and report any sighting or untoward movement to concerned authorities.

10. Braganza confirmed sending the letter to all concerned authorities marking State Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma on Friday. </s> Pakistan on Sunday released 220 Indian fishermen, a goodwill gesture which comes amid strain in ties after the recent cross border terror incidents. The 220 fishermen released from Malir jail here were arrested for allegedly entering Pakistan’s territorial waters illegally and fishing, jail superintendent Hassan Sehto told PTI.

The fishermen boarded a train to Lahore, from where they will be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border.

“The interior ministry ordered the release of the 220 fishermen while 219 are still in our custody,” Sehto said.

The goodwill gesture comes amid strain in ties between the two countries after Pakistan-based terrorists attacked an Indian army base in Uri in September.

Last week, the Pakistan fishermen forum claimed that Indian maritime authorities had picked up dozens of Pakistani fishermen from inside Pakistan’s territorial waters near the Gujarat coastline and taken them away, though the government has not responded to the claim so far. </s> High seas attack in Suriname… Brother of recently gunned down man arrested in Guyana

As local authorities continue to hunt for the suspects believed to be those who committed the deadly attack on 20 fishermen in Suriname waters, B’ Division Police have made an arrest.

 Senior police sources in the Division have confirmed that Nakool “Fyah” Manohar, attached to the Number 43 Fishing Co-op, was arrested yesterday at his home in the said village. Manohar’s brother, Somnauth Manohar, was killed in his yard in Suriname during a drive-by shooting on March 30, 2018. It is suspected that the recent attack was a reprisal for his death. Somnauth was said to be involved in piracy acts on fishermen out at sea.

 At the home of “Fyah”, his wife related that many times when there is a piracy attack in the waters her husband is arrested, questioned and subsequently released.

 “Every time it get ah hijacking dem a come hold he up and hold he for 72 hours and then we does gotta go and tek lawyer and dem never charge he”, she explained.

 The woman said that on the day of the attack at sea, her husband was at home, while making it clear that he no longer works out at sea “but get boats does go out at sea”. She went on to explain that her brother-in-law who was shot, “me husband and he never use to really talk”.

 According to her, shortly after the deadly attack on the fishermen on Friday, the police had informed them that someone had called them and given evidence to prove that her husband “tek out revenge”. She also mentioned that her husband is not a licenced firearm holder but had applied. She also added that they have since employed the services of an Attorney Bernard DaSilva.

 Additionally, a source in Suriname has revealed that the boat used in the pirate attack had “SK” painted on the front. It was later confirmed by this publication, that the fishing boats branded with “SK” are registered only to Guyanese.

 However, amidst the horrifying news of what took place in neighbouring Suriname, fishermen from the Number 66 Fishing Co-op have expressed fear for themselves and fellow colleagues. One fisherman said that he has been fishing for over 20 years and was attacked by pirates on many occasions, one of the recent attacks left him with broken ribs.

He opined that nothing can protect fishermen when they venture out to sea and if guns are given he believes that the very fishermen who are given the guns will use on each other “when dem drink up and get ignorant”.

 Indar Rampersaud, fisherman and Vice Chairman at Number 66 Co-op said that he feels sad about the situation but it is left on the Suriname authorities to act on reports when attacks occur in the waters.

 “We can’t blame our police or our Coast Guard, because where we are fishing from when I leave this creek here, yuh enter into Suriname waters. Right now for our protection, our co-op has guns that was given by the previous government, so at least that is some form of protection for us out there”, Rampersaud added.

 Regional Chairman David Armogan also weighed in on the attack, at the monthly statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council Region Six. The RDC has since condemned the murderous events that unfolded days ago.

 Armogan stated, “this is a very tragic time for the relatives of these missing men and this will also put a dent on other people wanting to go out to go fish as well”.

Armogan stressed that the fishermen have been calling for guns for a very long time, “maybe if they had things to fight back these pirates or maybe if these pirates knew that these fishermen had guns it would have been a different story. So I think we need to look back at that policy and if we want fishing to proceed and grow then I think we need to enable these fishermen with radios and also firearms; their lives are in danger and their families are at risk”.

 It is his firm belief that some level of safety must be provided to the fishermen who leave their homes to work for an honest dollar to maintain their respective families.

 “They are at the mercy of these pirates”, Armogan charged.

 Secretary for Vissercollectief Mark Lall has confirmed that only one body was brought to shore. Sources in neighbouring Suriname said that there seems to be difficulty in bringing the other bodies to shore even though they were spotted.
Local authorities in Goa, India, issue a terror alert for the West Coast for fishing vessels, resorts, barges, and offshore casinos. The alert states a fishing vessel may be used to launch a terrorist attack. The Ports Minister states that Pakistan has seized an Indian fishing vessel in connection with the alleged plot.