Pakistan 'apprehends' 18 Indian fishermen off Gujarat-coast

Ahmedabad, Nov 24: The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (MSA) "apprehended" 18 Indian fishermen and seized 3 of their boats near Jakhau port off Gujarat coast, a senior official of National Fishworkers' Forum said today.

"The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency apprehended 18 Indian fishermen along with 3 of their boats in Arabian sea near Jakhau port in Kutch district late last night," Secretary of National Fishworkers' Forum (NFF) Manish Lodhari told PTI.

One boat has been registered in Porbandar while the two belong to Mangrol in Junagadh, he added.

"As per the reports received from other fishermen at the sea, all these boats and fishermen have been captured near International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Later, they were taken to Karachi port, where these fishermen were lodged in jail this morning," Lodhari claimed.

Earlier in October, MSA had captured 24 fishermen and seized four of their boats. One fisherman was also injured in firing by MSA during the operation.

In September, one fisherman was killed in the firing by MSA personnel near IMBL, Lodhari said.

PTI