Sri Vijaya Puram: Six Myanmarese poachers were arrested in a massive operation by security forces in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The mission, named Operation Castle Bay, lasted several days and led the security forces to the uninhabited Tillangchong Island, where the arrests took place.
The poachers were taken to the Nancowry police station on Sunday for further investigation, an official said.
According to him, it all started after the pilot of a Coast Guard Dornier aircraft spotted an abandoned foreign boat during a routine patrol on November 8. The pilot immediately alerted the Andamans and Nicobar Command (ANC).
The India Reserve Battalion personnel posted at the Tillangchong Look-out-Post (LoP) were also alerted.
It soon came to be known that foreign poachers had landed on the island and escaped into the jungles. Operation Castle Bay was immediately set in motion.
The director general of Andaman and Nicobar Police H S Dhaliwal told PTI that: “The abandoned foreign boat carrying a large quantity of sea cucumbers was spotted at the eastern side of Tillangchong while our LoP is located at the western side.
The main challenge was executing the operation through difficult terrain, especially after sunset, he said.
“The team acted swiftly and moved into the remote island region. Drones were also pressed into action, and during intensive search efforts on November 15, six foreign poachers were successfully apprehended. The police and army detachments led the ground action, while the Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard extended strong operational support, ensuring smooth coordination and comprehensive coverage of the area,” the DGP added.
Teams are still scouring the jungles in search of more poachers, if they do exist.
“The Andaman and Nicobar Police reaffirm our commitment to protect the fragile island environment, safeguarding India’s maritime boundaries, and continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of the islands and its people,” Dhaliwal said.
The Andaman and Nicobar Police, in September, arrested 23 foreign poachers and seized nearly 550 kg of sea cucumbers. Sea cucumbers are highly endangered. They help in keeping the ocean bed clean by eating decaying matter and food which settles there.
Sea cucumbers are easily available 30-60 feet under seawater. They are used for medicinal purposes and as main ingredients in some of the exotic cuisines in the international market.
Statistics available with the Andaman and Nicobar Police reveal that in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, a total of 66, 98, 70, and 73 Myanmarese poachers were arrested respectively.