Indian Coast Guard Deploys Ships, Aircraft Along Borders With Sri Lanka After Intel Inputs of ISIS Terror

As per intelligence reports from police, boats voyaging from Sri Lanka to the Lakshadweep islands are allegedly carrying 15 Islamic State Terrorists.

Thiruvananthapuram: The Indian Coast Guard on Sunday deployed its ships and maritime surveillance aircraft around the Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands territory and borders with Sri Lanka following intelligence reports about the movement of boats allegedly carrying 15 Islamic State Terrorists. The boats had set off from Sri Lanka to the Lakshadweep islands, police said on Saturday. An operation in this regard was initiated by the Coast Guard to thwart any attempt by the ISIS terrorists to enter Indian waters.

The coastal police stations and coastal district police chiefs were already alerted, stated highly placed sources in the police department. A top police source reportedly said, “Such alerts are usual practice but this time we have specific information about the number. We have alerted the coastal police stations and the police chiefs of coastal districts to be on alert in case of any sighting of suspicious vessels.”

The coastal police department said it was on alert since May 23, the day alert came from Sri Lanka. The coastal department sources reportedly confirmed, “We were on alert since the Sri Lankan attack took place. We have also alerted the fishing vessels and others venturing into the sea to be cautious of suspicious activities.”

After the serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka, Kerala was on alert, especially after NIA investigations revealed that IS operatives had planned attacks in the State.

Intelligence agencies believe that a considerable number of Keralites are still with the ISIS which was recently wiped out from Iraq and Syria.

Sri Lanka witnessed a deadly terror attack on April 21 when eight blasts rocked the Island nation killing over 250 people. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the incident.

(With PTI inputs)