Uttara Kannada (Karnataka) [India], May 16 (HBTV): A Pakistani national who arrived at Karnataka’s Karwar Port aboard the cargo vessel MT R Ocean was denied entry into India by port authorities, according to the Indian Coast Guard.

The ship, carrying bitumen from Iraq, docked at Karwar on May 12 with 14 Indian crew members, two Syrians, and one Pakistani national on board. The ship’s captain was also an Indian.

Police Inspector Nischal Kumar had instructed that Pakistani and Syrian nationals should not disembark due to the strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. In compliance with these instructions, the ship’s captain confiscated the mobile phones of the Pakistani and Syrian nationals. After completing the unloading of bitumen, the Iraqi commercial vessel departed for Iraq, Karwar port officials confirmed.

The entry denial follows India’s recent ban on Pakistani nationals entering the country and the cancellation of their visas in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed 26 lives. In response to the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

During his visit to Srinagar on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India’s tough stance against terrorism and criticised Pakistan’s repeated nuclear threats.

In his first address to troops following Operation Sindoor at Badami Bagh Cantonment, Singh said the operation had delivered a clear message to terrorist organisations and their handlers in Pakistan: they are not safe anywhere.

‘Our forces have shown the world that their aim is precise and pinpoint. The task of counting is left to the enemies,’ he said.

He added: ‘I raise this question before the world: Are nuclear weapons safe in the hands of such an irresponsible and rogue nation? Pakistan’s nuclear weapons should be taken under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).’

Singh also praised the armed forces for destroying Pakistani posts and bunkers across the border, adding: ‘I come here today with a message from the people of India: “We are proud of our Forces.”’

(ANI)