Jaish wants to carry out underwater attacks in India, “Keeping track of it and fully alert”, says Indian Navy

The Indian Navy chief has revealed that as per intelligence reports, terrorist group, Jaish-e-Mohammed is training its terrorists to carry out underwater attacks. He said, “We have received intelligence that the underwater wing of Jaish-e-Mohammed is being trained. We are keeping a track of it and we assure you that we are fully alert.”

Admiral Karambir Singh added that after the 26/ 11 attacks which were carried out by Lashkar e Taiba, coastal security has been beefed up. He told reporters, “After the 26/11 attack in 2008, we set up coastal security. It is doing very well. As the Navy is overall in-charge of maritime security including coastal security along with coast guard, the marine police and other stakeholders, we are ensuring that there is no intrusion from the seas.”

It must be noted here that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) is the same terrorist organisation which had carried out a dastardly suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama that had resulted in the martyrdom of more than 40 CRPF soldiers. A few days later, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had bombed a JeM terror training facility based in Balakot in Pakistan. Now, the revelation of JeM preparing for an underwater attack suggests that the terror outfit might be trying to stage a comeback after its morale was crushed following the IAF airstrikes in Balakot. The 26/11 attacks in Mumbai were carried out by Pakistan based Lashkar e Taiba (LeT) terrorists who had sneaked into Mumbai by boat and launched several attacks which resulted in the death of more than 160 innocents.

Admiral Karambir Singh admitted that the cut in budgetary allocation to the Indian Navy had “limited” it to some extent. As per ANI, he said, “Yes, we have had to revamp our procurement plan.” The Navy chief also spoke about how his force has been keeping an eye on the Chinese movement in the strategically important Indian Ocean region. He said, “The Chinese want to become a global power, and so they will come into the Indian Ocean Region. We are watching them. National interests is the topmost priority for us. We will act when anything goes against national interests.”

Admiral Karambir Singh was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a lecture titled “Changing Dynamic: Maritime Security Imperatives for India.” The lecture was a part of a series held in the memory of late Army Chief General BC Joshi.