(a) whether a ship containing satellite phones was seized by the Indian Coast Guard
at Mumbai coast;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard;and
(c) the action plan formulated by the Government to check such incidents in future?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (SHRI A.K. ANTONY)
(a) & (b) On 3rd April 2013, the Indian Coast Guard received information on alleged use of a
Thuraya satellite phone on board Merchant Shipping Vessel Yusufi. The vessel was seized and
handed over to Yellow Gate police station, Mumbai.
(c) Government has accorded top priority to strengthening the mechanism ensuring overall coastal
and maritime security of the country through increased coastal surveillance by deployment of the
assets of both Navy and Coast Guard. The inputs received by intelligence agencies are being
shared on daily basis through the Multi agency Mechanism. Further this intelligence mechanism
has been streamlined through the creation of Joint Operation Centres. In order to improve
preparedness and seamless integration of various security agencies against such threats, Joint
Operational exercises are taking place on regular basis among the Navy, the Coast Guard, the
Coastal State Police, Customs and others.