Karwar, May 16 (UNI) A Pakistani citizen aboard an Iraqi commercial cargo vessel was denied entry into India after the ship docked at Karwar Port earlier this week, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Coastal Security Police (CSP) officials said on Friday.

The ship, MTR Ocean, arrived at the port on May 12 carrying a consignment of bitumen from Iraq. It had 17 crew members on board, including 14 Indians, two Syrians, and one Pakistani citizen. The captain of the vessel is also an Indian.

CSP Inspector Nischal Kumar issued instructions that the Pakistani and Syrian nationals were not to disembark, citing the current state of strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan.

"In accordance with the directions issued by the police, the captain of the vessel ensured that the Pakistani and Syrian nationals remained on board. Their mobile phones were also seized by the captain to prevent any unauthorised communication during the ship's stay," an ICG official told mediapersons.

After unloading the bitumen cargo, the vessel departed for Iraq, Karwar Port officials said.

Security agencies have stepped up vigilance along the coastal belt following the incident, and a report on the movement of foreign crew has reportedly been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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