A high-alert security scare off the Raigad coast late on Saturday evening triggered a swift and extensive response from the Mumbai Crime Branch, Raigad Police, and multiple maritime security agencies. The suspected Pakistani boat, which was initially believed to pose a possible infiltration threat, was ultimately identified as a floating fishing net buoy commonly used by local fishermen.The suspected Pakistani boat, which was initially believed to pose a possible infiltration threat, was ultimately identified as a floating fishing net buoy commonly used by local fishermen.
The Mumbai Crime Branch’s Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) launched an investigation after an alert was received from the Indian Coast Guard (Murud Unit) at 8:52 PM on July 6, 2025. The report mentioned a suspicious vessel, “Muqadar Boya 99” (Boat No. MMSI-463800411), spotted 2.5 to 3 nautical miles off the coast near Korlai Fort. The information was classified as highly sensitive and originated from Coast Guard Headquarters in Delhi.
In response, the Raigad district police mobilized top officials, including the Additional Superintendent of Police, Sub-Divisional Police Officers, and local station heads. "Quick Response Teams (QRTs), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS), and 19 armed checkpoints were activated in sensitive areas including Revdanda, Korlai, JSW, and Salav. Simultaneously, hotels, resorts, and lodges were inspected to rule out any suspicious activity," said a statement issued by Raigad police.
The Mumbai Crime Branch remained on high alert throughout the operation, coordinating closely with central and coastal intelligence agencies to verify the threat. Surveillance was intensified along the coastline, while aerial patrols by Coast Guard helicopters and drone reconnaissance over the Korlai region were conducted in tandem with the Alibag Revenue and Fisheries departments.
Sea patrolling was increased with the help of patrol boats from the Indian Coast Guard and Navy. "Fishing boats anchored near shores were inspected, and local fishermen and residents were engaged to assist in spotting any irregular movements. Coastal police stations were instructed to boost patrols at beaches, jetties, and remote islands," a police officer from Raigad police said.
The large-scale operation saw the deployment of 52 officers and 554 police personnel. Agencies such as the Maharashtra Maritime Board, Customs, Department of Fisheries, and Sagar Rakshak Dal were also roped in for inter-agency coordination. Neighboring police units including Navi Mumbai Police were alerted as a precautionary measure.
After hours of intense search and verification, the object was identified as a fishing net buoy, not a vessel. The Indian Coast Guard clarified that such buoys, often fitted with GPS or AIS tracking systems, are used by fishermen to locate their nets and can drift into territorial waters. A similar incident had previously occurred near Okha, Gujarat, on January 3, this year.
