India to Establish Marine Police Force to Counter Terrorist ‘Frogmen’

Sensing a major threat from frogmen and the marine wing of terror outfits like the Lashkar-e-Taiba, India, for the first time, is seriously considering creating a special marine police force.

After a high level coastal security meet, Rajnath Singh, Indian Minister of Home Affairs, said, "The center will seriously consider creating a coastal police as a Central Armed Police Force based on the suggestions received from coastal states. It was also decided that for tracking the movement of fishermen to the sea and back, an integrated computerized system/tech based e-surveillance will be implemented. "

Governments of different Indian states have suggested that a Central Marine Police Force be created to protect sea, coast, ports and vital installations.

After November 26 Mumbai terror attack, in which terrorists entered the country through sea route, India has toughened security in coastal zones. Apart from the existing 45 radars, India plans to install 38 more radars for gapless surveillance of the coastline.

According to sources, intelligence reports suggest that India is targeting Lashkar-e Taiba's marine wing. Lashkar terrorists who are trained to attack via sea routes are termed 'frogman'.

India has a 7,516-km-long coastline which is guarded by a three-tier system consisting of the State Marine Police, Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy.