Strengthened coastal security to prevent a repeat of Mumbai attack: Indian Navy

Paradip (Orissa), Nov 9(ANI): Indian Navy has said that it has made all possible plans to ensure that a repetition of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack- like incident does not take place.

Addressing the media during the navy drill organised as a part of Navy Week, off the Paradip coast in Orissa, Rear Admiral P. urugesan, VSM flag officer commanding eastern fleet, said: Along with the coast guards and coastal states, marine police the Indian Navy has made all possible plans, so that we do not allow any such (26/11 Mumbai attack) incidents to take place again."

"The entire operation of the navy has been focussed towards coastal security, so that such a thing does not happen again," Murugesan added.

India has heightened coastal security in the country, on its borders and the coastal areas following the Mumbai attacks, which killed nearly 166 people.

Sea routes have emerged as the safest routes by terror outfits to carry out dreadful operations. In 1993 serial blasts that rocked Mumbai more than a decade ago and took a toll of more than 250 lives, the militants had smuggled in RDX and other explosives through the sea route.

India Government has said that the assault on Mumbai was carried out by Pakistan-based LeT militants, who must have had backing from some official Pakistani agencies.

Though Pakistan denies official involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks, but has acknowledged the coordinated attacks were launched and partly planned from Pakistan's soil.

Murugesan said that they were aware of the vulnerability of the eastern coast to terror attacks and are ever vigilant.

"East coast can be as vulnerable as any other coast. When we are guard one place, they will definitely come from place where we are least expecting, to that extent we are not leaving any portion of the east coast unguarded and unattended," Murugesan added.

Six naval warships - INS Rajput, INS Kirpan, INS Jalashwa, INS Kuthar, INS Kora and INS Kulish - were open for public viewing by Navy to create awareness about naval activities.

The drill was part of the navy week celebrations ahead of the Navy Day on December 4. (ANI)