AHMEDABAD: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) intercepted a Pakistani fishing vessel after it was found inside Indian waters near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) off the Gujarat coast, officials said on Friday. The boat, named AL-MADINA, was carrying nine Pakistani nationals, all of whom have been detained for questioning.

The vessel was first spotted on January 14 by an ICG ship patrolling the Arabian Sea near Porbandar. According to the ICG, the fishing boat attempted to evade interception and return to Pakistani waters. However, in a swift night operation, ICG personnel successfully intercepted and boarded the vessel, preventing its escape.

“The boat is being towed to Porbandar for thorough rummaging and joint interrogation by concerned agencies,” the ICG said in a post on X. Authorities added that a case is likely to be registered against the crew once the investigation begins.

The post highlighted the professionalism of the operation, stating: “In a swift and precise night operation, an India Coast Guard ship, while on patrol in the Arabian Sea, sighted a Pakistani fishing boat inside Indian waters near the International Maritime Boundary Line on 14 Jan ’26. On being challenged, the boat attempted to flee towards the Pakistan side; however, the ICG ship intercepted and boarded the boat in Indian waters. A total of nine crew were found in the Pakistani boat, AL-MADINA. The operation reaffirms the ICG’s unwavering commitment to secure Bharat’s maritime frontiers through relentless vigil and law enforcement across the nation’s maritime domain.”

Officials noted that operations like these are part of the Coast Guard’s ongoing effort to safeguard India’s maritime borders and prevent illegal incursions. The intercepted vessel and crew are now under the custody of Indian authorities, who will carry out detailed investigations to determine the circumstances leading to the intrusion.

The incident comes amid heightened vigilance along the western maritime frontier, where the ICG continues to patrol areas close to the IMBL to prevent illegal fishing, smuggling, and unauthorized crossings.