Amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions, security agencies have barred 21 Pakistani crew members from disembarking from the ‘MT Siren II’ at Paradip port.

KENDRAPADA: Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, security agencies have denied disembarkation permission to 21 Pakistani crew members aboard a crude oil tanker that arrived at Paradip port on Wednesday.The Hong Kong-flagged vessel ‘MT Siren II‘, carrying 196,580 metric tons of unrefined oil, anchored at the Single Point Mooring (SPM) berth approximately 20 km offshore from Paradip port. The cargo is destined for the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) refinery in Paradip.Jagatsinghpur Superintendent of Police, Bhawani Sankar Udgata, said security measures were intensified immediately after immigration authorities identified Pakistani nationals among the crew. “While two Indian crew members were permitted to disembark, the Pakistani crew will remain onboard,” Udgata stated.Multiple security agencies, including Marine Police, Coast Guard, CISF, and Customs authorities, have been placed on high alert. The agencies have conducted thorough vessel searches and document verification of all crew members.

“The state government has been notified about the presence of Pakistani nationals, and the vessel will remain under constant surveillance throughout its stay at Paradip,” the SP added.The SPM, a floating buoy anchored offshore, facilitates the transfer of liquid cargo through underwater pipelines to the refinery.