Boat with Kalashnikovs lands nears Mumbai, belongs to Australian woman

A high alert was sounded in Maharashtra on Thursday after an unmanned yacht carrying weapons was discovered abandoned off a beach in Harihareshwar, Raigad district. According to the Raigad District Police, a lifeboat was also found abandoned in the district of Bharadkhol. According to sources, the yacht belonged to an international maritime agency, and it has been claimed that the boat had capsized a few days ago in international waters. The weapons that were dismantled belonged to the agency as well. 

Top updates:

1) The Raigad District Police recovered AK-47 rifles from the boat. After a preliminary investigation, the police said the boat belonged to a security agency.  

2) Police further stated that the boat contained dismantled sophisticated weapons that 'are of no use to anyone.' Cops added that the case is still being investigated and that central agencies have been notified of the development.

3) The Raigad District Police said, "An unidentified boat was discovered at Harihareshwar Beach, and a lifeboat was discovered in the Raigad district of Bharadkhol. There is no one on either of them. The Coast Guard and the Maharashtra Maritime Board have been notified. The Police Department is taking the appropriate action."

4) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that a 16-meter boat owned by an Australian lady was going from Muscat to Europe. On July 26, 2022, the boat's engine failed. The couple was rescued by a Korean Navy ship. Due to the high tide, the boat could not be salvaged and drifted away, eventually arriving at the Raigad coast. Fadnavis added that a terror connection had not been ruled out.

5) Raigad MLA, Aditi Tatkare, stated that she had requested Maharashtra Chief Minister for a special investigation into the incident. She also stated that the incident is a major security concern as it occurred a day before major festivals. While talking to reports, Tatkare said, "Dahi Handi is tomorrow, and Ganeshotsav is only ten days away. During these festivals, people come here. Security is a critical issue."

6) According to sources, Neptune Security has informed them of the incident involving a yacht belonging to them that capsized in international waters a few days ago.

7) The boat owner is Hana Laundergun, an Australian citizen, who owns Lady Han. Her husband, James Harbert, is the captain, Fadnavis added. 

8) A team of the Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad is leaving Mumbai for Alibaug, accompanied by ATS chief Vineet Agarwal. A bomb squad has also been rushed to the scene.

9) The Security has been tightened at the coast, and the area has been on high alert. The Coast Guard and other relevant agencies have been notified.

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• Harihareshwar beach
• Kalashnikovs
• Maharashtra
• Maharashtra Police
• Raigarh district
• boat
• fishermen