'Pak wants to puncture PM Modi's 'idea of India', says former foreign secretary

Former foreign secretary Shashank on Saturday said that there are many important people in the Pakistan Government, who would like to puncture Prime Minister Narendra Modi's idea of India.

"As one knows there is going to be 'Gujarat Vibrant Summit' and also the PBD (Pravasi Bharatiya Divas) where Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be going. There are many important people in the Pakistan Government, who would like to puncture Mr. Modi's idea of India which is going all out to increase its growth rate, Swachh Bharat Campaign and 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' type of policy," said Shashank.

"Obama will be here very soon. So, to puncture all that Pakistan and its assets will take these kinds of foolish measures so one would not put it pass then," he added.

The former foreign secretary also said that till now there are only speculations over what are they thinking to do.

"Right now it will be a speculation till our people, especially those who are of the technical side, they are able to tell us what the discussions were going on. Whether they were thinking in terms of just transferring weapons to their some of the assets on the Indian coast, or it was actually to mount an operation at this stage," he added.

The former foreign secretary's remark came after a Pakistani boat carrying explosives was intercepted in Indian waters.

Earlier 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.

A statement from the Ministry of Defence said that as per intelligence inputs received on December 31, a fishing boat from Keti Bunder near Karachi was planning some illicit transaction in the Arabian Sea.

A coast guard ship warned the suspicious vessel to stop for further investigation of the crew and cargo. However, the boat increased its speed and attempted to flee the maritime boundary.

The coast guards operation continued for nearly one hour and the Coast Guard ship managed to stop the fishing boat after firing warning shots.

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.