Navy calls off Porbandar base inauguration event

“When the boat exploded, we had sought advice from the headquarters about the programme,” the officer, who is supervising the inauguration programme, added.

The Navy in Gujarat received the information from Navy headquarters in New Delhi on January 3 confirming the cancellation of the event. The Navy had started contemplating the cancellation of the event after the Defence Intelligence input was shared with them on December 31. However, the decision was put on hold till the Indian Coast Guard’s operations were over, sources said.

Also read: Pakistan boat intercepted mid-sea, 26/11 like terror averted?

The INS Dwarka-II is the new base of the Navy in Gujarat, built to increase the berthing facilities for its ships and as part of the Navy’s expansion in Gujarat. The Centre recently allotted 4.63 acres on lease from the Airport Authority of India to the Navy.

The preparations for the inauguration had started in December with the Navy inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the base. “Soon after the boat explosion incident, the PMO had cancelled Prime Minister’s visit. However, the function was going to happen as scheduled. But after the analysis of the incident, the Navy headquarters decided to call off the programme,” the naval officer added.

The Western Naval Command has been informed that the inauguration function will be reschedule after the investigation into the incident is completed. That is not likely to happen soon as the Navy has been pressed into action for surveillance of the 1,600 km-long Gujarat coastline, officials said.

At present, the Navy is aiding the aerial surveillance along with the seven aircraft of Indian Coast Guard. The Navy has also pressed its unmanned aerial vehicle for the purpose. Gujarat Police too has deployed their two UAVs, ‘Netra’.

“The Netras are being monitored closely from Gandhinagar,” Additional DGP Pramod Kumar said.

Come clean, name terror group involved: Cong to govt

By: Express News Service

New Delhi: Amidst a controversy over whether the Pakistani fishing boat destroyed by the Indian Coast Guard was carrying explosives and whether it had any connection with terror groups, the Congress on Sunday asked the government to come clean and name the terror outfit involved in the operation. Congress said different versions have emerged about the incident. “The government should come clean on it. There is no evidence. How can you say that a terrorist attack was prevented?” party said and accused the BJP government of sensationalising the issue. Hitting back at BJP, which attacked the Congress saying it was speaking the same language as that of Pakistan, former minister Manish Tewari referred to the Kandahar-hijacking episode. He recalled that a senior minister in the then NDA government had escorted known terrorists to freedom. The Congress, he said, did not need lessons on nationalism from the “chaperones of terrorists”.