Porbandar, India

India’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Sunday (Apr 28) nabbed a group of Pakistani nationals off the Gujarat coast in possession of 86 kilogrammes of contraband drugs worth Rs 602 crore ($72 million). All 14 Pakistani citizens were arrested as they attempted to evade the Indian authorities.

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The suspects even tried to run their boat over the ATS officials, after which the officials had to open fire on them. Following a brief encounter, all the suspects were detained and the drug consignment was seized.

All detainees were being brought to Porbandar port on Gujarat coast Sunday evening.

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Indian authorities have intensified search operations near the international sea border for two days now, but within Indian territorial waters following intelligence inputs.

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"In a breathtaking overnight operation, the Indian Coast Guard undertook an intelligence-based anti-narcotics operation at sea. Approx 86 kg of narcotics worth ₹ 600 crore has been apprehended along with 14 crew from the Pakistani boat," the Coast Guard said in a press release.

The agency had deployed both ships and aircraft to carry out the operation. Coast Guard ship Rajratan, which had officials from both the NCB and ATS on board, played a key role in the mission.

(With inputs from agencies)