KARACHI – The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (MSA) arrested at least 58 Indian fishermen for violating territorial waters in Arabian Sea on Thursday.
The MSA arrested fishermen after they entered into Pakistani waters in the Arabian Sea.
The authorities also seized 10 boats. The arrested fishermen were later handed over to the docks police. SHO Docks Police Station Sajjad Mangi said cases had been registered against the Indian fishermen under Fisheries Act and they will be produced before a court of law today (Friday) after which they will be sent to District Malir Jail, Karachi. The officer said that the police will also conduct an investigation to make sure that all of them were fishermen and had no link with any criminal or terrorist organisation.
Agencies add: Senior police officer Shiraz Nazir told AFP that authorities also seized 11 boats. The agency had arrested 61 Indian fishermen for allegedly violating territorial waters in November.
Such arrests are frequently carried out by both countries, as the maritime border in the Arabian Sea is poorly defined and many fishing boats lack the technology needed to be ascertain their precise location.
The fishermen often languish in jail even after serving prison terms, as poor diplomatic ties between the two arch-rivals mean fulfilling official requirements can take a long time.
Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours have taken a turn for the worse in recent months, with some of the worst shelling in years on the disputed border in Kashmir.
