Islamabad: Pakistani authorities have
arrested 122 Indian fishermen and seized 23 fishing boats on
charges of poaching in the country's territorial waters, a
spokesman said Thursday.
The spokesman of the Maritime Security Agency said the
arrests were made last night.
The action was taken to safeguard the interest of locals,
he said.
The Indian fishing boats were found 80 nautical miles
inside Pakistani waters, the spokesman alleged.
He claimed Indian fishermen intruded into Pakistani waters
and into the Indus delta region for high quality fish.
The Indian fishermen were handed over to Docks Police in
the port city of Karachi for further action, the spokesman
said.
India and Pakistan detain hundreds of fishermen every year
on charges of violating the maritime boundary.
The two countries have taken steps in recent months to
expedite the release of fishermen who have completed their
jail terms.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, November 17, 2011, 23:06