The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) now deploys almost 40-44 ships and 10-12 aircraft to maintain surveillance on a daily basis to patrol the seas around India, said ICG Director-General K Natarajan on the eve of the 13th anniversary of the Mumbai attacks. He said the ICG has conducted more than 300 coastal security exercises and operations since 2009 in coordination with the coastal state authorities since 2009. 3.5 tonnes of drugs coming via sea route have been seized in last 2 years.
As a result of its intensive patrolling in coastal areas, the ICG has seized more than 3.5 tonnes of drugs coming through the sea route in the last two years. The Coast Guard is working in close synergy with several agencies.
Post 26/11 attacks in 2008, the Central government brought in various reforms to tighten the coastal security.
In November 2008, 10 terrorists had entered India from Pakistan via the sea route and targeted multiple locations, including Taj Hotel, Nariman House and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, in Mumbai. At least 166 persons were killed and over 300 injured in the attacks that lasted four days.
