The Indian Coast Guard detained an Iranian fishing vessel, with six Indian crew, off the Kerala coast yesterday. The Defence Ministry said that the swift sea-air coordinated operation involved the ships and aircraft of the Indian Coast Guard. After intercepting the boat, an Indian Coast Guard team investigated the vessel and checked the involvement of any anti-national activity.

The Ministry said that an initial investigation revealed that the owner of the boat was an Iranian sponsor who had contracted these Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, and issued them Iranian Visas for fishing off the Iran coast. It added that the crew made allegations of ill-treatment by the sponsor, besides confiscating their passports. The Ministry also informed that the detained vessel was safely brought to Kochi today for further investigation.