INS Tarkash, a flagship warship operating under the Western Command of the Indian Navy, seized 2500 kg of narcotics during a patrol in the western Indian Ocean . The operation underscores the Indian Navy’s unwavering commitment to combat maritime crime and strengthen regional security.
INS Tarkash, which was deployed to the Western Indian Ocean in January 2025 for maritime security, is actively supporting Combined Task Force (CTF) 150. The CTF is part of the Combined Maritime Security Force and is based in Bahrain. The ship is participating in the multinational joint military operation Anzac Tiger.
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On 31 March 25, while on patrol, INS Tarkash received information from an Indian Navy aircraft P8I about suspicious boats in the area. After receiving information that these boats were involved in drug smuggling and other illegal activities, Tarkash changed its course and intervened in the path of the suspicious boats. After conducting a legal enquiry of all the suspicious boats in the vicinity, the officers on board Tarkash boarded one of the suspicious boats in coordination with the Maritime Operations Centre in Mumbai and the P8I aircraft. In addition, the helicopter on board Tarkash monitored the movements of the suspicious boats and searched for more such suspicious boats in the area.
A special team including naval commandos boarded the suspicious vessel and conducted a search operation. Various sealed packages were found in this. Further investigation revealed that more than 2500 kg of narcotics (2386 kg of hashish and 121 kg of heroin) were found in different compartments of the vessel. The vessel was successfully taken into custody by the warship INS Tarkash and the personnel on board were thoroughly questioned about their working methods as well as other vessels in the area.
This seizure highlights the strength and professionalism of the Indian Navy in preventing and combating illegal activities including drug trafficking at sea. The objective of the Indian Navy’s participation in multinational exercises is to promote security, stability and prosperity in the international maritime domain of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).