Natuna, Riau Islands, June 11 -- Indonesia's Navy has launched a search for suspected foreign fishing vessels operating illegally in the North Natuna Sea after local fishermen reported repeated sightings near the country's northern maritime frontier.

Rear Admiral Nurlan, commander of Fleet Command I's Sea Combat Group, said on Thursday he attended a June 10 meeting with fishermen and government agencies in Natuna to discuss the reports.

During the meeting, fishermen said foreign fishing vessels were operating almost daily in the North Natuna Sea, only tens of nautical miles from Indonesia's outermost islands.

Following the reports, Nurlan ordered warship KRI John Lie-358 to intensify patrols and surveillance in the area to safeguard In...