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53 Indian fishermen jailed in Pakistan

A Pakistani court today jailed 53 Indians for fishing illegally in Pakistani territorial waters, court sources said.

They were arrested along with their eight boats on Saturday and brought to Karachi where they were produced before the magistrate. Those arrested include several children, the police said.

Pakistani authorities had arrested 27 Chinese fishermen in early February on a similar charge. Indian and Pakistani fishermen are often caught while fishing in each other's territorial waters.

Pakistan released 13 Indian fishermen and two boats last week. Fourteen Pakistani fishermen are awaiting completion of formalities in an Indian jail and are likely to be released in March, the officials said.

Pakistan released 191 Indian fishermen last year and India reciprocated with the release of 149 Pakistanis after the resumption of high-level talks between the two countries.

UNI

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