Goa on high alert following intelligence report on possible terrorists attack

Panaji : India’s western state Goa is on high alert, after a notice of possible arrival of terrorists on board a fishing trawler has been issued on Friday. 

The notice has been issued 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, Jayesh Salgaoncar said.

State's Ports Minister Jayesh Salgaoncar told news agency 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 of the state.

The alert is not specific to Goa also for Mumbai and Gujarat coast, but we have alerted the vessels and concerned agencies, Mr 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 asked to remain alert as per the intelligence input.

The ministry department have received intelligence input from District Coast Guard that anti-national elements have boarded a seized Indian fishing boat in Karachi which may land on Indian coast and attack important places like 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 James Braganza was contacted to confirm sending the letter to all the concerned people, the letter was also marked to State Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma.