The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) apprehended an Iranian fishing boat, carrying six Indian crew members, off the coast of Kerala near Beypore late on May 5, 2024. The operation involved swift coordination between sea and air assets of the ICG.
Upon intercepting the vessel, an ICG team boarded it to conduct a thorough investigation for any potential involvement in anti-national activities. Initial findings revealed that the boat was owned by an Iranian sponsor who had hired Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, providing them with Iranian visas for fishing off the Iranian coast.
The crew alleged mistreatment by the sponsor and reported being deprived of basic living conditions, including the confiscation of their passports. They stated their decision to flee from Iran to India using the same boat.
The detained vessel was safely escorted to Kochi for further investigation on May 6, 2024.
