'Responsibilities on navy increased after 26/11'

Naval Chief Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma on Friday said that responsibilities of the Indian Navy have increased post 26/11 terror attacks and suggested to bring all coastal vigilance agencies 'under a single security magnet.'

"After last year's 26/11 attack, responsibilities in terms of coastal security have increased. We should bring all agencies involved in the coastal vigilance like Marine Police and Customs under one security magnet and ensure effective co-ordination," Verma said during a ceremonial parade at the Indian Navy's helicopter base INS Shikra, Mumbai.

On his first visit to Mumbai after assuming office as the Navy Chief, Verma said, "Western Naval Command always had greater responsibilities ever since Navy's inception and it met all responsibilities."

He expressed optimism that if big responsibilities are given, the Navy will surely meet them. Asserting that the personnel learnt several lessons at a Navy exercise conducted in Western Naval Command recently, he said, "More exercises should be conducted to enable us to keep pace with security challenges".

Stating that more aircrafts would be procured to strengthen the Navy, the Naval chief affirmed that with more equipment, "We will find ourselves confident in facing most difficult of situation we may face at sea route."