Pakistan arrests 18 Indian fishermen

Eighteen Indian fishermen have been arrested and four boats seized by the Pakistan Marine Security Agency from International Maritime Border in the Arabian sea at Kutch district's west coast, the National Fishworker's Forum informed on Monday.

"The PMSA arrested 18 Indian fishermen and seized their four boats on Sunday from the Jakhau region near IMB where they were on a fishing expedition," NFF secretary for Gujarat, Manish Lodhari told PTI.

"We got the message from our counterparts at Karachi as the fishermen have been taken there for prosecution," he said.
According to NFF president Hiralal Shiyal, 610

fishermen are already languishing in Pakistan's custody since last three years. With 18 more arrested on Sunday the total number has reached 628.

Shiyal further said nearly 433 boats have also been seized by the PMSA. Earlier this month, the PMSA had arrested 16 Indian fishermen and seized their three boats from the same area while they were on a fishing expedition.

Last month, the Gujarat government had issued a notification to owners of Indian boats, which are in custody of PMSA, cancelling the registration of the boats citing security reasons.