A Pakistani national aboard the Iraqi cargo vessel MT R Ocean, which docked at Karnataka’s Karwar Port on May 12, was denied entry into India by port authorities, the Indian Coast Guard confirmed. The vessel was transporting bitumen from Iraq and had a total of 17 crew members — including 14 Indians, two Syrians, and one Pakistani. The ship’s captain was an Indian national.
Due to heightened national security concerns, Police Inspector Nischal Kumar directed that Pakistani and Syrian nationals on board must not disembark. In accordance with the directive, the captain confiscated their mobile phones, and the ship departed for Iraq after unloading its cargo.
This strict enforcement follows India’s ban on the entry of Pakistani nationals and cancellation of their visas after the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. India retaliated with Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Defence Minister’s Stern Message
During a visit to Srinagar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the Indian Armed Forces for their precision strikes during Operation Sindoor and delivered a strong rebuke of Pakistan’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.
“Our forces have shown the world that their aim is precise and pinpoint. The task of counting is left to the enemies,” said Singh during his address at Badami Bagh Cantonment.
He also posed a sharp question to the global community:
“Are nuclear weapons safe in the hands of such an irresponsible and rogue nation? Pakistan’s nuclear weapons should be placed under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).”
Singh praised the Indian troops who successfully destroyed Pakistani posts and bunkers across the border and conveyed the nation’s pride and gratitude:
“I come here today with a message from the people of India: ‘We are proud of our Forces’.”
This latest incident at Karwar Port underlines India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and reflects its tightening of border and port security in response to recent cross-border hostilities.