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 Terrorists slipping past, mock naval exercise, Defense of Gujarat, Mumbai, News
Sunday MiD DAY had warned about seaborne attacks
The Indian Navy has launched a major offensive at high seas to track the mysterious vessel used by the militants to spread terror in Mumbai. Dozens of warships have sailed out of various ports along the west coast of the country and are scanning the seas for the wanted vessel, believed to be a freighter (name withheld for security reasons). Captain Manoharan Nambiar of the Indian Navy confirmed that the ships are out at sea. "We are checking all suspicious vessels," added Nambiar.
The search has been launched after Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, the only terrorist captured alive after the three-day ordeal, told Mumbai police that they were dropped off the Mumbai coast in a freighter, which they boarded a little distance off Karachi. The information has been passed on to the navy and the Coast Guard.
Major security lapse
However, shockingly, that mysterious vessel slipped past a major naval exercise codenamed 'Defence of Gujarat'. A large number of naval and Coast Guard ships had taken part in the exercise. Even all the port trusts and gram panchayats were included in the exercise, which lasted between November 17-22. Their task was to track all vessels and check their identities.
In fact, it was a mock exercise to track down al Qaeda and Pakistani vessels. The threat to offshore installations was also part of the drill.
It is exactly during this period that the mysterious vessel sailed close to Mumbai harbour and dropped the deadly cargo of arms and ammunition, as well as the band of terrorists. It points to a major security lapse on the part of the various agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau.
Ships port security violated
Rules under the International Ships Port Security code (ISPSC) have also been violated. Special security checks have been made mandatory by the International Maritime Organisation in the aftermath of 9/11. It is mandatory for all ports across the country to ensure that no ships or cargo land without checking, particularly from countries with dubious backgrounds.
But the rules of the ISPSC were not followed which is why the mysterious vessel was allowed to come close to Mumbai without being checked.
Fishermen records rarely checked
Various security agencies were aware of intelligence reports indicating that around 90 fishing boats were impounded by Pakistani officials. These vessels could infiltrate Indian waters after the monsoon spell was over and the sea was near normal.
What is worrisome is that most Pakistani fishermen can speak Gujarati. Also there are not many checks along the route once the vessel enters the Indian waters.
Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kriti Samiti's president Damodar Tandel told Sunday MiD DAY that more than 1,000 fishing boats from as far as Pakistan sail into the Mumbai harbour. Most of the men on board don't have proper records.
Tandel said the background of the fishermen, many of whom are from Pakistan, are rarely checked. They don't carry fishermen's cooperatives cards or ration cards to prove their bona fide status in the country.
Seaborne warning in Sunday MiD DAY story
These startling facts come at a time when the Mumbai police has claimed that they allegedly have evidence that the Pakistan Navy, in association with the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), is training Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists to target the city.
Interrogation of some arrested militants has revealed that the ISI, in co-operation with the Navy, are imparting navigational training, particularly to LeT terrorists, along with selected cadre from other 'tanzeems' like Hizbul Mujadeen, Jamait-e-Musalman and others.
Three-phase training
The police have got detailed plans that the Pakistan Navy is imparting 12-18 month navigation courses, completed in three phases. In the first phase, the terrorists are taught to swim. The second phase includes handling large boats, laying down of mines in coastal zones and planting bombs under dams, bridges and ships.
The final phase relates to training in navigational techniques, rescue operations, surveillance methods, concealment of explosives and underwater attacks on enemy targets and coastal vessels.
This intelligence report was published in Sunday MiD DAY two weeks ago, but was ignored by various agencies. Last evening, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil confirmed this sea route at a media briefing. | 
