Thaindian News

Kolkata, Dec 1 (IANS) The “Sagar Prahri Bal” (SPB), which has been sanctioned for safeguarding India’s coastal territory, will be introduced in the next two years with an induction of 1,000-odd security personnel and 95 Fast Interceptor Crafts (FIC), a navy official said Tuesday.
“The force will comprise 61 officers and 939 men and 95 FICs in the first phase. At least 20 of these total number of interceptor crafts have already been delivered and all of these are indigenously built,” said Commodore C.S. Ajad, the naval officer-in-charge at an interactive session during the first day of Navy week celebrations here.

He said the primary objective of forming the SPB was to augment the coastal security network across the country.

“We’ll see support from the Coast Guard, Border Security Force (BSF), marine police and all other stake holders of the coastal territory of the nation. We need to develop a comprehensive and collaborative effort to protect the maritime security chain.”

About security of the West Bengal coast, Ajad said there would be about 150 personnel in the SPB to protect the coastal belts of the state. Two to four FICs would also be given to the state.

“The induction of this SPB’s radar chain will start from January 2010 and will continue till 2011,” he added.

Ajad also said the force would take care of 13 major and 180 minor ports on the Indian coastline.

After the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai last year, the defence ministry had decided that the Navy would set up the SPB to strengthen the coastal security and surveillance system in the country.

The force was targeted to carry out round the clock shallow water operations for seaward anti-terrorist patrols for security of naval assets, besides interception at high speeds and perform search and rescue operations in case of emergencies.