Seven Pak fishermen arrested by Coast Guard off Gujarat coast

Ahmedabad, Mar 17: Seven Pakistani fishermen who had illegally entered the Indian waters were arrested after a chase in the Sir Creek mouth area by the Indian Coast Guard today.

"An Indian Coast Guard hovercraft, while on area patrol, apprehended seven Pakistani crew 1.5 nautical miles inside the IMBL (International Maritime Boundary Line), off Sir Creek Mouth Area," a Coast Guard official said. The Pakistani boat, named Bhagan', tried to escape towards the shallow waters but keeled over while speeding and capsized, he said.

The crew jumped into the water and fled but were arrested eventually. They were brought to Jakhau coast in Kutch and handed over to Koteshwar Police for probe.

Preliminary probe found that they were fishermen. On Saturday, 13 Pakistani fishermen were arrested for allegedly entering Indian waters illegally and their boat, named Al Jia Jalani', was seized.

PTI