Terrorism at Sea, a Threat to National Security

Thursday, November 13, 2003

(10:30 AM)

Press Trust of India

SHANGHAI -- PTI
India today warned that the possibility of terrorists resorting to dramatic actions like hijacking a fully loaded super tanker or ships carrying sensitive cargo has emerged as a real threat which requires enhanced cooperation and coordination among navies in the region.

The incidents of piracy have been increasing, especially in the South China Sea and Malacca Straits, on the east and west coast of India, Bangladesh, the Flag Officer commanding of the Eastern Command of the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral O P Bansal told reporters here on board 'INS Ranjit', guided-missile destroyer.

"If you look at the statistics of the International Piracy Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, you will find that there is a 200 per cent increase in incidents of piracy and there are 'hot spots' of piracy," Bansal, who is here heading the fleet of three Indian Warships to China for the first-ever Joint Naval exercise, said.

He also noted that the search and rescue drill planned between Indian and Chinese Navies on November 14 assumes added significance as navigation in the South China Sea and the neighbouring Malacca Straits has been plagued by sea piracy, a serious issue confronting commercial liners.

(Source: The Hindu News Update Service)

2003 © Press Trust of India (PTI).

Dan