Bare borders: A.P. Coastal Security Police left adrift without boats or backing

Once a vigilant coast that helped sink Pakistani submarine PNS Ghazi, Andhra’s shoreline now lies exposed with defunct boats, short-staffed stations and key proposals gathering dust.

Just days before the mysterious sinking of Pakistan’s submarine PNS Ghazi off Visakhapatnam coast during the India-Pakistan War of 1971, an unusual sighting by local fishermen hinted at secrets lurking beneath the sea — secrets that would soon shape a dramatic chapter in naval history.

In the early hours of December 5, 1971, fishermen heading out in their traditional boats spotted a massive black object, shaped like a pointed gourd, rising from the depths near the coast. Frightened and uncertain, they rushed back to shore and reported the strange sight to local authorities. This unexpected encounter became a vital intelligence clue for the Indian Navy, confirming that the elusive Ghazi was operating close to Visakhapatnam’s harbour.

But that was only the beginning. Soon after, villagers spotted tall, bearded men clad in lungi, speaking Hindi, buying large quantities of provisions, and paying in Indian rupees. Who were these mysterious visitors, and what was their true purpose?

Former Naval officers believe the fishermen’s first sighting was the submarine surfacing to recharge its batteries, while the second involved enemy crew members secretly restocking supplies ashore. Yet, beneath these accounts lay deeper stories, ones that revealed more than just wartime manoeuvres.

Both sightings provided crucial intelligence to the Eastern Naval Command, led by Vice-Admiral N. Krishnan, enabling a coordinated strike based on multiple inputs. While there are various accounts of Ghazi’s sinking, the official Indian version credits INS Rajput, an R-class destroyer, with sinking the submarine using depth charges.

Andhra Pradesh’s long, porous coastline makes it vulnerable, and the local fishermen community plays a vital role in providing key intelligence to safeguard the coast. Recognising this, securing the shoreline became a national priority.

After the 1999 Kargil War, a Union Government ministerial panel was tasked with revamping coastal security. Their solution: every coastal State should have a dedicated special force to patrol and protect its waters.