17 Indian fishermen with 3 fishing boats from Gujarat held by Pakistan

Porbandar: Seventeen Indian fishermen have been apprehended by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) along with three boats – two from Porbandar and one from Veraval – in the Arabian Sea, Manish Lodhari, secretary of National Fishworkers’ Forum claimed on Saturday.

According to the Directorate Public Relations – Pakistan Marine Security Agency: During routine surveillance in Eastern Maritime Zones of Pakistan, PMSA ship apprehended 03 Indian Fishing boats alongwith 17 crew members in Pakistani waters. It may be appreciated that PMSA ships, Aircrafts, Fast boats regularly undertake patrolling & monitoring of our Maritime Zones. In the recent past Indian fishermen intrusion into Pakistani waters has been seen an unwarranted increase. Given the prevailing environment and the fact that these vessels are generally fitted with GPS equipment, their presence in deep inside our waters raises concern as these boats may be used for other illegitimate purposes. Furthermore, the Indian fishermen continue to intrude in Pakistan’s marine rich Indus Delta Region containing high quality fish, at the cost of the livelihood of local fishermen resulting in depletion of our fish stocks and ecological damage. After initial investigations, the apprehended fishermen were handed over to Docks Police for further legal formalities.