New Delhi, May 6: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) apprehended an Iranian fishing vessel off the coast of Kerala late on May 5 in a coordinated sea-air operation. The vessel, carrying six Indian crew members, was intercepted west of Beypore.
Upon boarding the vessel, the ICG conducted a thorough investigation to ascertain any potential involvement in anti-national activities. Initial findings revealed that the vessel was owned by an Iranian sponsor who had hired the Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu.
Shockingly, the crew disclosed that they had been subjected to mistreatment and deprived of necessities by the sponsor, who also confiscated their passports.
In a daring bid for freedom, the crew had decided to escape from Iran to India aboard the same vessel.
They were escorted to Kochi, the detained vessel awaiting further investigation as authorities delve into a deeper investigation into this alarming incident.