Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday sought to defend the Coast Guard operation in Arabian Sea, saying those travelling in the Pakistani vessel were suspected terrorists in "given circumstances".

Doubts were voiced about the operation on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 in which a Pakistani vessel sank in the Arabian Sea following a Coast Guard operation.

"In given circumstances in the Pakistani boat, it is clear that they were suspected terrorists," Singh told reporters, echoing the views of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. The Home Minister did not elaborate.