Pakistani Marines capture at least 10 Indian boats, 60 fishermen off Gujarat coast on Republic day

Porbandar: Amid the heightened coastal security on the occasion of the 68 the republic day today, Pakistan Marine Security Agency (PMSA) has caputured at least 10 Indian boats with around 60 fishermen aboard near International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Arabian sea off the Jakhau coast of Gujarat.

The boats belonging to Porbandar, Okha and Mangrol, had ventured in to the sea for catching fish.The Pak Marines captured at least 10 of the boats in two attempts, National Fish Workers Forum Secretary Manish Lodhari said adding that the number of captured boats and fishermen might go up as there were reports that two ships of Pak Marines have hooked up some more Indian boats.

“We are trying to confirm it,” he said.

Earlier on December 28 the PMSA had captured 13 Indian boats with 65 fishermen from the same area. Prior to that 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 last year also PMSA had captured 6 and 1 boats respectively with 36 and 6 fishermen.

Today’s incident is fifth such in last six months and the second one after the release over 400 fishermen by Pakistan as a goodwill gesture recently.