Pakistan Maritime Security Agency apprehends 15 Gujarat fishermen for straying close to its waters

Ahmedabad: At least 15 fishermen from Gujarat were apprehended early on Wednesday by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) near the international maritime boundary on the Arabian Sea, the second such incident in the last five days, officials said.

Representational image. Reuters

Representational image. Reuters

The PMSA also seized three fishing boats during the operation, said officials of the Porbandar-based National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF).

“The seized boats, which were registered at Porbandar, had set sail a few days back,” NFF Secretary Manish Lodhari said, adding that the PMSA apprehended the fishermen near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) off the coast of Gujarat

On January 4, five fishermen from Porbandar were apprehended by PMSA, which claimed that they had crossed the IMBL. The IMBL jurisdiction is a contentious issue between India and Pakistan.

Fishermen from both the countries eyeing big catch often stray across the line.