122 Indian fishermen arrested in Pakistan

Pakistani authorities have arrested 122 Indian fishermen and seized 23 fishing boats on charges of poaching in the country's territorial waters, a spokesman said on Thursday.

The spokesman of the Maritime Security Agency said the arrests were made on Wednesday night.

The action was taken to safeguard the interest of locals, he said.

The Indian fishing boats were found 80 nautical miles inside Pakistani waters, the spokesman alleged.

He claimed Indian fishermen intruded into Pakistani waters and into the Indus delta region for high quality fish.

The Indian fishermen were handed over to Docks Police in the port city of Karachi for further action, the spokesman said.

India and Pakistan detain hundreds of fishermen every year on charges of violating the maritime boundary.

The two countries have taken steps in recent months to expedite the release of fishermen who have completed their jail terms.