26/11 Attacks, 6th Anniversary: Coastal Security Much Stronger, Says Government

As the country marks the sixth anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the government claims that the overall maritime security along the entire coast is "much stronger than before."

"At any given time, the entire west coast is under continuous surveillance by ships and aircraft of the Navy and Coast Guard," an official statement released late on Tuesday evening said.

The Indian Navy along with the Coast Guard and Indian Air Force is conducting the annual Defence of Gujarat Exercise for five days. The exercise is aimed at preventing another 26/11-like attack from the sea, reports NDTV.

"On the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks, over 30 ships and submarines and aircraft of the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Coast Guard and state agencies have been deployed for this exercise off the western coast of India.

"During this exercise, the defence of the offshore oil production areas will also be tested. This exercise will provide an opportunity to fine-tune standard operation procedures and test new operational concepts for coastal security," the statement said.

It added that since 2008 coastal and maritime security has been strengthened substantially by "successful" implementation of technical, organisational and procedural initiatives by all maritime security agencies.

Plugging gaps, where identified, is a continuous process that is being addressed appropriately, it said.

"Due to the coordinated efforts of all concerned, all these measures are now in place and overall maritime security is much stronger than before," the statement added.

Several measures were announced by the government to strengthen coastal and maritime security along the entire coast after the terror strikes in Mumbai on 26 November 2008. The attacks carried out by terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba left 164 people dead.