Arabian Sea Terror Alert

The Indian Navy has issued a terror alert warning all commercial and private vessels to give plenty of space to Indian Navy warships. From The Indian Express.

The Western Naval command has issued an alert after received fresh intelligence inputs of a possible attack on Indian Naval ships by explosive-laden fast boats and trawlers.

Fishermen and merchant navy ships plying on the western coast have been asked to remain alert and maintain distance from Indian naval ships.

The confidential note has been issued by the office of Chief Staff Officer, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, and sent to fisheries’ unions, craft owners and ferry craft operators operating in the western coast between Gujarat and Maharashtra.

The letter, a copy of which is available with The Indian Express, says: “The Headquarters has received intelligence input regarding possibility of attacks on Indian Naval (IN) ship by explosive-laden fast boats and trawlers. The modus operandi in such attacks is that a boat laden with explosive closes the target ship, rams into it and explodes next to the ship.”

Given the location, this alert would almost certainly apply to US Navy and French Navy ships also, both of whom are also operating in the Arabian Sea.