26/11 effect: New ICG North west region to cover Gujarat coastline

As an after-effect of the Mumbai terror attacks, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has decided to form a North west region headquarter covering the Gujarat coastline, as the state shares maritime border with Pakistan.

The central government has approved formation of the North west region headquarter covering the Gujarat coast and it has been activated, sources in the defence establishment said.

Earlier, from Kutch to Kanyakumari, including Lakshadweep island used to fall under the West region headquarter of ICG having its head office at Mumbai.

The terrorists who had attacked Mumbai had used a fishing trawler Kuber of Porbandar.

The head office of the North west regional headquarter will be in Gandhinagar, and will be officially inaugurated soon by the defence minister AK Antony, sources said.

According to the official, the North western region will now be headed by an officer of the rank of inspetor general and will soon witness expansion in terms of manpower as well as equipment.

Earlier, the ICG had divided the country into three regions which were West, East and Andaman and Nicobar region.

But, now with the formation of North west region, this would be the fourth region of the ICG.