Karwar Port Authorities Deny Entry to Pakistani Crew Member on Iraqi Vessel

The crew of an Iraq-flagged cargo vessel was denied permission to disembark at Karnataka's Karwar port after it was found that the crew included a Pakistani and two Syrian nationals.

The decision was made in light of heightened security protocols following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.

According to a senior port official cited by news agency PTI, the Pakistani and Syrian crew members were repatriated after being restricted from disembarking. India has recently taken a hard stance against Pakistan, including the cancellation of all visas issued to Pakistani nationals and banning Pakistani-flagged ships from entering Indian ports.

The Iraqi cargo ship, which had set sail from Al Zubair in Iraq and was transporting bitumen, arrived at Karwar port with 18 crew members - 15 Indians, one Pakistani, and two Syrians.

During standard security checks, the presence of the Pakistani and Syrian nationals triggered a swift response from the port authorities and Coastal Security Police. Their mobile phones were confiscated through the ship's captain to limit external communication. The trio was confined to the vessel for two days while the cargo was being unloaded.

"International cargo vessels often employ multinational crews. However, disembarkation at Indian ports requires prior security clearance. In this case, restrictions were applied due to the prevailing security environment," the port official said.

Inspector Nischal Kumar of the Coastal Security Police confirmed, "The individuals were instructed not to use mobile phones and were sent back with the vessel. Coastal surveillance has been intensified, and sensitive areas along the coastline are under close observation."

Earlier on May 15, 21 Pakistani crew members were barred from disembarking a crude oil tanker that arrived at Odisha's Paradip Port amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.