Indian Navy on high alert following Mumbai terror strikes

Kochi Naval Base (Kerala), Nov.27 In the wake of Wednesday's terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the Indian Navy has tightened security along the country's western coast.

The chief of Southern Naval Command, Vice Admiral Sunil Damle told reporters onboard INS Tir that there is a possibility that a few of the terrorists may have escaped through the sea route after the attacks, and added that Indian Navy has already started investigating the issue.

"As per the information that they not only came from the sea route but some elements have escaped through the sea route. Indian Navy is strong there and we have already started investigating the vessels or ships or any crafts which are considered suspicious on the west coast particularly in the vicinity of Mumbai. So, Indian Navy is taking active participation to finding out how they come in which is a separate issue, but if there in an attempt to take that route to rescue, that is also being investigated by our units," said Vice Admiral Damle.

On the issue of Somalian pirates, he saiod that the India Navy is well aware of the danger posed to it by these elements.

"It is a fact that our action against Somalian pirate vessel in the recent past has brought the Indian Navy into focus in this particular area but this also has brought in a danger of the Indian Navy being targeted by these people in addition to the terrorist posing threat to our nation".

He added that any action cannot be ruled out, as they have enough money on their disposal, if the pirates are not directly involved they can fund or pump in the money to such organizations doing terrorist activities.

"Now all these bad aliments they unfortunately have a fare amount of illegal money at their disposal so even it the Somali pirates are not going to take any direct action against us there is every possibility of them pumping in the money into such organization taking terrorist like action against us," Vice Admiral Damle said. By Juhan Samuel

ANI