Pakistani Maritime Security force arrests 17 Indian fishermen

Karachi, January 21: At least seventeen Indian fishermen were arrested by Pakistan security forces for allegedly fishing in Pakistani waters. Notably, the Pakistani Maritime Security force arrested seventeen Indian fishermen hailed from Gujarat for allegedly illegally fishing in waters of the territorial neighbouring country. The authorities also seized at least three boats.

 

The Pakistan Maritime Security force said, “The 17 Indian fishermen, along with their three boats, were taken into custody while fishing illegally in the territorial waters of Pakistan.” The Pakistani Maritime Security force on Friday night handed over all fishermen to Karachi police after which they were presented before the Court.

However, the court remanded fishermen in the custody of Karachi police. A police official at the docks police station has said that the Indian nationals were presented before a magistrate who sent them to jail on remand. He said most of the fishermen belonged to Gujarat.

Since the late November last year, the number of Indian fishermen detained for fishing in Pakistani waters was around 185. Importantly, the arrest comes after the release of 145 Indian fishermen on the 28th of December last year. As per the list was given to the Indian High Commission by the Pakistani government, 457 Indian prisoners including 399 fishermen and 58 civil prisoners are in Pakistani jails.