Car Nicobar, April 6: An anti-poaching operation was launched by Police Station Nancowrie in the sea areas off Kakana, Pilpillow, Pondha and Dering on 04/04/2026 at about 0915 hrs. The operation was carried out by a police team comprising SI (ED) M. M. Dasan, PC/2940 Kenny Roger, CT/021284 Raj Kumar, HG(V)/671 Lucas and HG(V)/634 Anjaan. During the operation, at about 1040 hrs, a suspected Myanmarese poaching vessel was detected near the coast of North Kakana. On noticing the police presence, the vessel cut its anchor rope and attempted to flee towards the south-east direction off Tillong Chaung. Acting swiftly, the police team pursued the vessel and in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard, attempted to intercept it. Two warning rounds were fired by PC/2940 Kenny Roger. However, the poachers ignored the warning and continued to flee. No injuries were reported.
The fleeing vessel was subsequently intercepted and abandoned near Isle of Man Island, where the poachers escaped into the dense forest. Following this, a large-scale operation codenamed ‘Sea Sentinel’ was launched, with teams from PS Nancowrie and LoP Tillangchaung, led by SI L Hari Krishna, undertaking extensive search and surveillance operations under challenging terrain and weather conditions.
On 05/04/2026 at about 0715 hrs, a joint team of police personnel and 11 Army personnel carried out intensive jungle search operations, resulting in the apprehension of one Myanmarese national after a brief chase. The search operation continued on 06/04/2026, culminating in the successful apprehension of the remaining 10 foreign nationals who were found hiding in the forest area. In total, 11 foreign poachers were apprehended during the operation. Additionally, the seized vessel and approximately 800 kg of illegally harvested sea cucumber were recovered.
This successful operation highlights the unwavering commitment and coordinated efforts of Nicobar District Police, in collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard and Army, towards safeguarding the nation’s maritime boundaries and protecting fragile marine ecosystems from illegal exploitation.
The entire search operation was conducted under the supervision of Shri. Samuel Solomon, DANIPS, SDPO Car Nicobar and under overall supervision and direction of SP (D) Nicobar Shri. Rahul L Nair, IPS.
The general public have been requested to share information pertaining to any crime or other illegal activities to Police at phone numbers 112, 03192-265223 & 9531856152. The identity of the informant will be kept secret.