Port Blair, Sept. 2: Continuing with the anti-poaching drive which began on Aug 30, the Indian Coast Guard Ship Kanaklata  Barua, in a sea-air coordinated operation apprehended another poaching boat with 5 Indonesian poachers on Aug 31. In a span of 21 hours, Indian Coast Guard has apprehended 13 poachers i.e. 8 Myanmarese and 5 Indonesian with 1 boat.

The Coast Guard Dornier infact was again launched in the early hours of Aug 31 for anti-poaching operation to continue with sea-air coordinated search off Barren Island in NGI. The Dornier aircraft located one suspicious boat 50 nm south east of Barren Island and passed on the information to ICGS Kanaklata Barua which was patrolling in the area. As the boat attempted to flee towards International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), the officers and men under the command of Commandant (JG) SC Singh disregarded the rough sea conditions and reached the reported position of suspicious boat, but could not locate the boat. Meanwhile Dornier aircraft was re-launched from Port Blair which successfully located the suspicious boat. The ship was vectored by aircraft to intercept the boat. Finally, ICGS Kanaklata Barua successfully apprehended 5 Indonesian poachers along with the boat.

The Coast Guard Ship entered Port Blair harbour at 1230 hrs on Sept. 1 with all 13 poachers (8 Myanmarese and 5 Indonesian) and apprehended boat under escort. All poachers and apprehended boat are being handed over to Police authorities for legal formalities