<p>The boats -- "dhows" -- had been under aerial surveillance and naval ship had been sent to probe them and neutralise if necessary, said Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, Flag Officer Commanding, Goa Region (FOGA).<br /><br />The three small boats were spotted yesterday morning. "We had received inputs from a merchant ship about the suspected activities. Navy's IL-38, a maritime surveillance aircraft, spotted them and we have kept a constant watch on them," he said.<br /><br />"We have been keeping watch on them for the last 24 hours and sent a naval vessel to neutralise them."<br /><br />The Indian navy had also asked merchant ships to steer clear of the spot, he said.</p>
<p>The boats -- "dhows" -- had been under aerial surveillance and naval ship had been sent to probe them and neutralise if necessary, said Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, Flag Officer Commanding, Goa Region (FOGA).<br /><br />The three small boats were spotted yesterday morning. "We had received inputs from a merchant ship about the suspected activities. Navy's IL-38, a maritime surveillance aircraft, spotted them and we have kept a constant watch on them," he said.<br /><br />"We have been keeping watch on them for the last 24 hours and sent a naval vessel to neutralise them."<br /><br />The Indian navy had also asked merchant ships to steer clear of the spot, he said.</p>