Evidence shows men on Pakistani boats were suspected terrorists: Parrikar

Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday said that it is evident that the men on the Pakistani boat, which sank after being intercepted near the India- Pakistan maritime boundary, were suspected terrorists.

"I think they were suspected terrorists, as they committed suicide. A normal boat even carrying drugs can surrender. The location was not normal sea route; even the smugglers normally take the busy route so that they can mingle with boats. Pakistan is trying to divert attention after what happened in Peshawar," said Parrikar.

"The coast guard has done right job at the right time based on intelligence inputs as they reacted immediately. The boat was on surveillance for 12 hours and it was intercepted as soon as possible," he added.

Earlier in the day, Parrikar laid the foundation stone of National Institute of Defence Estates at Raksha Sampada Bhavan.

On Friday, a possible terror attack was averted when a suspicious fishing boat carrying explosives in the Arabian Sea was intercepted near the India- Pakistan maritime boundary, approximately 365 kilometres away from Porbander.

The four persons on board disregarded warning shots from the Coast Guard and tried to hide themselves in the lower deck of the vessel; thereafter they set the boat on fire, which resulted in an explosion.

Ultimately, the boat burnt and sank in the early hours of January 1, including all the people on board who could not be saved or recovered.