New Delhi: Defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday implied that suspected terrorists on board the suspicious fishing boat destroyed in a fire in the early hours of January 1 were in touch with Pakistan’s maritime agency or the Pakistan Army. He cited circumstantial evidence to say that the men on board the vessel “virtually committed hara kiri (suicide), (which) indicates suspected terror.”

He said the vessel was “not on a normal route”, pointing out that smugglers usually operate on a busy route so that they can mingle easily with other traffic on the high seas.

The minister said: “Secondly, smugglers don’t keep in touch with the maritime Pakistani agency or maritime security of Pakistan or their Army or international contacts. The most important factor, if you ask me, why I will classify them as suspected or probable terrorists is because they have committed suicide — hara kiri.

(Those on) a normal boat, even carrying some drugs, can throw away the drugs and surrender. No one is going to kill himself unless you are motivated enough to do that... They were so motivated that they virtually committed hara kiri... (which) indicates suspected terror. The circumstantial evidence indicates what I am saying.”
He said an analysis of the incident would be released soon.

Mr Parrikar added that (by acting the way they did), the men on board the boat did “not fit the description of smugglers.” The minister went on: “That much I can very clearly tell. You yourself tell me which smuggler can commit suicide.”

The government was trying to counter doubts raised by the Opposition parties on the issue, including on whether the men on the boat were petty smugglers or terrorists. The BJP also lashed out at the Congress asking Rahul Gandhi to clarify the party stand.