Pakistan boat sank on January 1, but satellite phones remained active until January 4

NEW DELHI: For three days after a Pakistani boat went up in flames off the Gujarat coast on January 1 with four occupants onboard, the two satellite phones used by the suspected terrorists continued to be active, according to technical details with Indian agencies.

The two numbers had been under NTRO's ( National Technical Research Organization) watch for months before it alerted the Coast Guard about a possible mid-sea transaction. According to sources, the phones were used to get in touch with a mobile number in Thailand during most of this period.

At least one more Indian agency other than NTRO had also been monitoring the two numbers. NTRO suspected throughout those months of monitoring that the two numbers were part of a smuggling racket. It alerted the Coast Guard on December 31 morning about their possible movement in seas near international maritime boundary of India, because the indication was that they were planning a major transaction.

On December 30 morning, the two numbers were about 8km apart in the Arabian Sea. By the evening of the same day, the two Thuraya satellite phone numbers had reached the same location.

Around the same time, the boat that probably came from near Sri Lanka moved the 'cargo' to the boat that came from Pakistan.

According to details available from technical monitoring, the two satellite phone numbers then drifted apart. In the months running up to the operation, the numbers were probably also in touch with a number in UAE.

Raising several questions, the two Thuraya phones continued to be operational as late as January 4, three days after one of of the boats went up in flames as the Coast Guard closed in on it. According to officials, the boat that blew up was located using the Thuraya phone on board.

Coast Guard spokesperson told TOI that he had no further comments other than the official statement issued after the operation on January 2.

After a hot pursuit by ICGS Rajratan, the suspected terror boat sank around 365km from Porbandar early on January 1, according to the Coast Guard.

Intercepts show that the boat that came from Sri Lanka side may have handed over the cargo and Rs 6 lakh for one Shehzad in Pakistan. This boat got caught in bad weather after the transaction. On January 2, those on board this boat told their Thai contact that they were tired of removing water collected on the boat because of bad weather.

During this conversation, there is confirmation about the cargo being handed over, bad weather and the nearest shoreline. When the Thai handler tells them to head for the nearest coastline, which is India, the boat occupant refuses. In the conversation there is no mention of the other boat going up in flames, or hot pursuit by Coast Guard.

In a statement, the government had said the fishing boat from Keti Bunder near Karachi was planning some illicit transaction in Arabian Sea. The Coast Guard ship intercepted the unlit boat at about midnight of December 31 365 km West-South West of Porbandar.

"Four persons were seen on the boat who disregarded all warnings by the Coast Guard ship to stop and cooperate with investigation. Soon thereafter, the crew hid themselves in below deck compartment and set the boat on fire, which resulted in explosion and major fire on the boat," the Coast Guard statement had said.