13 Gujarat boats with 65 fishermen aboard captured by Pakistan reach Karachi: Lodhari

Porbandar: Pakistan Marine Security Agency (PMSA) had captured more than twice as many boats as reported yesterday and all the 13 boats with 65 fishermen on board have reached Karanchi today, National Fish Workers Forum Secretary Manish Lodhari said.

He said that earlier it was informed that the number of captured boats and fishermen was 6 and 36 respectively but the number of captured boats near International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Arabian sea off the Jakhau coast yesterday was in fact 13 and there were 65 fishermen on board.

Mr Lodhari said that it has also been confirmed today that all the boats have reached Karachi. Nine of the boats are from Porbandar while remaining four are from Okha Mangrol.

Earlier on November 19 also the Pak Marines had abducted 6 Indian boats from the same area with around 36 fishermen on board. In September and August this year also PMSA had captured 6 and 1 boats respectively with 36 and 6 fishermen.

It is fourth such incident in last five months and first one after the release of over 200 Indian fishermen by Pakistan as first group of over 400 to be released as a goodwill gesture.

DeshGujarat