All eyes on a Mangalore-bound 'terror' ship

Intelligence agencies have sounded a terror alert against a Mangalore-bound ship which would be coming in from the United Arab Emitates via Pakistan.

The Intelligence Bureau has stated that terrorists could be on board this ship and could infiltrate into Mangalore from where they may try and launch a terror attack in the country.

The ship is slated to dock at the Panambur port in Mangalore. However, security agencies are more worried about the fishing port at the nearby Malpe area where terrorists may get off.

Although vessels are not permitted to stop at the Malpe port, those trying to infiltrate may use boats to get there. The coastal belt of Mangalore continues to be vulnerable and the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks has only made illegal activities in this port go up.

Statistics would show that activities such as smuggling in the Mumbai port came down considerably after the 26/11 attacks due to enhanced security.

These elements then shifted base to Mangalore which found to be vulnerable and since then smuggling activities have been on the rise.

The Karnataka government has beefed up security along the coast and all eyes are on this ship which is expected to dock in the next couple of days.

The coast guards have been directed to keep a watch on all the fishing ports such as Malpe and Bundar around Mangalore in the event of this threat.

Police sources however added that there has also been a threat alert after four Lashkar-r-Tayiba terrorists managed to infiltrate in Mumbai recently.

However, they have denied any knowledge of these four Bangladesh-based Lashkar militants gaining entry into Bengaluru.

"The alert says that these persons will try and target Bengaluru due to the Bharatiya Janata Party government in state and the fact that it is an IT hub," a police official said.

"However, our counterparts in Mumbai are still looking for these men and information is being shared on a regular basis," the official added.