Navy-Coast Guard war puts India's security at grave risk

[Major Shaitan Singh]

Alleged Pakistani terrorists had set ablaze their explosive-laden boat on Dec 31 night off the Porbandar coast.

It was an operation hailed as a classic example of jointmanship between multiple security agencies. After the disaster of 26/11, when agencies could barely get their acts together before any terror struck, here was timely cooperation leading to the target getting neutralised before damage could be done.

However, now it is emerging that the case concerning the terror boat, which came perilously close to Indian waters on New Year's eye, was not devoid of a turf war between the two lead maritime security agencies i.e the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

Reliable sources have confirmed that the two agencies sparred for access to ICG in-shore patrol vessel (IPV) Rajratan which was the craft which intercepted the Pakistani fishing vessel and its crew on the intervening night of December 31, 2014-January 1, 2015. While the Navy was keen to get onboard and dig details about the incident from the vessel's records which could include photographs, videos, ship's logs, navigation charts, ammunition expended as well as access to the crew, the ICG was determined to stop this since it did not want its 'crew members to be treated like accused persons'.

While ultimately the ICG's view prevailed over the Navy and the crew was not subjected to any examination, the incident has left a bitter after taste. When asked, it was confirmed that the naval team was indeed at the jetty when the Rajratan arrived. Additionally, neither the navy nor coast guard denied the issue but chose not to elaborate the intention behind the navy's probe and the subsequent denial of access.

On the evening of January 3, when the 50m-long ICGS Rajratan commissioned into the ICG in February 2013 returned and berthed alongside at the Porbandar Coast Guard jetty inside the Gujarat Maritime Board's all-weather jetty, already awaiting its arrival was the Naval Officer In Charge (NOIC), a Commodore rank officer of the Navy along with local officials. While the presence was not objected to at any point, the ICG had to categorically deny the Commodore access to the ship and crew, which was sought. The Navy team had to be asked to step aside and the ICG prevailed.

Meanwhile, senior officials of the ICG also prevailed upon the defence ministry and committed themselves to sending a detailed report on the issue as well as share photographs and videos of the incident at the earliest.

That very evening, the Commander Coast Guard Region (North West), an Inspector General rank officer, flew down to Porbandar, collected the videos and by Monday, i.e January 5, the videos were handed over to the office of the Defence Secretary with no copies made. From conversations pieced together in New Delhi as well as in Porbandar, the entire team led by the NOIC was aghast at this treatment meted out to them and felt the ICG was being too defensive.

However, it was mutually decided to not aggravate the matter. The Coast Guard ship Rajratan, which can embark a compliment of six officers and 30 sailors, sailed out of Porbandar on the evening of January 5 for patrolling the maritime boundary line as well as spotting debris, if any, of the Pakistani boat.

Being the overall incharge of coastal security, officials of the Navy felt justified in seeking access whereas the ICG pending direct orders in this operation, which was launched and executed at the behest of the National Technological Research Organisation (NTRO), which is directly under the National Security Advisor (NSA) and by extension the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), did not feel compelled to comply. Justifying the ICG's response, the senior MoD staffer stated, "As I see it, the ICG felt aggrieved about what it saw as navy's lack of participation in the operation which took place at a time when celebrations were in the air," said a source.

Navy-Coast Guard war puts India's security at grave risk : India, News - India Today

 

[Tshering22]

There should be a clear definition of each agency's turf. I am surprised that such a serious matter has to have a stupid turf war when the nation's security is at stake. Anything within X miles of the Indian coast should be under ICG while anything withing Z (X+ the final limit of our territorial and EEZs respectively) should be under the IN.

 

[possumlot]

There should be a clear definition of each agency's turf. I am surprised that such a serious matter has to have a stupid turf war when the nation's security is at stake. Anything within X miles of the Indian coast should be under ICG while anything withing Z (X+ the final limit of our territorial and EEZs respectively) should be under the IN.

In real life, Indian Navy thinks CG is its bastard child. ....... and CG resents IN for stepping on its toes ALL the time. I suspect this is the case all over the world

 

[Tshering22]

In real life, Indian Navy thinks CG is its bastard child. ....... and CG resents IN for stepping on its toes ALL the time. I suspect this is the case all over the world

Turf wars in India tend to become uglier than what is usually around the world. If there is a small turf war incident that happens in a country like Sweden or Australia, it is nothing to worry about. But having agencies bicker with each other and even attack each other when surrounded by hostile states to the level that India has, this is really short-sighted and foolish.

I feel that the MOD must dismiss the officers responsible for this confusion from both the services.

 

[possumlot]

Turf wars in India tend to become uglier than what is usually around the world. If there is a small turf war incident that happens in a country like Sweden or Australia, it is nothing to worry about. But having agencies bicker with each other and even attack each other when surrounded by hostile states to the level that India has, this is really short-sighted and foolish.

I feel that the MOD must dismiss the officers responsible for this confusion from both the services.

Most times it's the IN fault. They treat CG like dirt and assumes operational command over them.

The CG is however larger than most Navies in the world and demand to have their own say.

A little bit of hostility during peace time is good, but in war time all difference are forgotten (I hope ).

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

Are you serious? This is the first time i heard an incident like this.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Stupid reporting, the IN has full authority over the ICG (the head of the ICG is and IN officer!) and there IS a clear delineation in "turfs"/jurisdictions. A lot of nonsense has been written in the Indian media about this incident.