Security tightened in Palk Strait

Three Naval patrol vessels arrived at the Navy jetty at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu today in the backdrop of information that Pakistan's ISI could infiltrate India from Sri Lanka through the sea.

Officials who confirmed the arrival of the three vessels, however, refused to give any further information.

The ships could be meant for strengthening presence of navy in the region and prevent infiltration of ISI agents by sea from Sri Lanka, sources said.

Only two days ago, a senior official of Tamil Nadu Coastal Security Group (CSG) said a new security system had been put in place off this coastal town to prevent infiltration by sea.

"CSG has been deployed in the area after police received information that ISI agents could infiltrate India from Sri Lanka via Palk Strait. A new security system has been put in place to totally prevent infiltration," Jyoti Basu, in charge of CSG (Rameswaram) said on May 6.

State police had on April 29 arrested Sri Lankan national Mohammed Zahir Hussain, suspected ISI agent, who has confessed that he was sent to India on a recce to target national assets and launch attacks in parts of south India.

He had also told police that he had gathered important details related to vital installations including topography of American and Israeli consulates in Chennai and Bangalore respectively besides naval establishments in Visakhapatnam and Kochi.