NEW DELHI: Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar reiterated on Monday that the mysterious boat that blew itself off Porbander coast on New Year night had terror link and it was in constant touch with Pakistan.

Mr Parrikar was quoted as saying that the intercepts from the boat were investigated and the truth would come out in a few days. According to the Indian Express, however, he categorically said that he was not aware of what was inside the boat.

“Govt will release all analysis on the suspected Pakistani boat in 3-4 days,” he said.

The minister said the actions of the men on the boat backed what he had said.

“(I am) not speculating that it had explosives but it had some activity in mind that does not fit the description of a smuggling boat. Which smuggler would commit suicide? That much I can say,” Mr Parrikar said adding that their intentions were not right.

Earlier during the day, Mr Parrikar was quoted as saying that “circumstantial evidence” indicated that the alleged Pakistani boat, had suspected terror links.

Dismissing claims that the occupants of boat may have been smugglers, the minister said he would classify them as “suspected or possible terrorists” since according to him they had committed suicide after being intercepted. They were in touch with Pakistani maritime officials, “army and international contacts”, reports quoted him as saying.

He said the boat was neither in a fishing area nor on any busy route preferred by smugglers to sneak in and that their actions indicate that they were there for “some other kind of activity. We are not sure what is that other kind.”

His remarks came as questions were being raised on the veracity of claims that a 2008 Mumbai attack-style operation had been foiled. There were also reports claiming that the boat was involved in smuggling. The Congress has asked the government to come clean on the matter leading to a slugfest with the ruling BJP.

The ruling party has in turn accused the Congress of providing “ammunition to Pakistan” and speaking their language besides playing “petty politics” on terror.

Meanwhile, rejecting BJP’s charge of playing “dirty politics” over the ‘bomb’ boat issue, Congress said doubts have been raised in the public realm and it has the right as principal opposition party to question the government.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2015

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