20 Indian fishermen arrested by Pak for trespassing

Karachi: Pakistan’s maritime security authorities arrested 20 Indian fishermen along with three boats for allegedly trespassing into its territorial waters, a police official said on Wednesday.

The fishermen, who were arrested on Tuesday, had been handed over to Docks Police Station in the southern port city of Karachi on Wednesday for necessary legal action.

The arrested fishermen have been charged under the Foreign Act and Fisheries Act, Reuters reported.

“Pakistan maritime security seized three boats along with 20 fishermen. They were brought here to the police station. We have registered a case against them. We will present them before the court today,” said police officer, Mohammad Babur, at Docks police station.

The fishermen belonged to Gujarat.

One of the Indian fishermen said that that they entered Pakistani waters by mistake and requested the Indian government to get them released.

“I mistakenly strayed into Pakistani waters. I could not make it out and it was by mistake. Then we were caught. I request to my government and our entire Indian brothers to get us released,” said arrested Indian fisherman, Dilip Kumar.

In February this year, Pakistan released 172 Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture, two days after the Prime Ministers of both countries decided to resume high-level talks.

ANI