Karachi, Apr 10: Pakistan's Coast Guard patrols arrested 38 Indian fishermen for "illegally" fishing in the country's territorial waters, police said today. A patrol of the Pakistan navy's Maritime Security Agency also confiscated 11 fishing boats late yesterday in the Arabian Sea some 100 kms southeast of Karachi, said Maqsood Khan, a police inspector at the docks police station.
The Indian nationals have been charged with illegal entry and fishing in Pakistani territory, he said. Pakistan and India routinely arrest each other's fishermen. Many of the fishermen spend years in jail before being released or even going to trial.
There are currently 258 Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails, including 15 who were arrested Monday. Earlier this month, Pakistan freed 280 Indian fishermen who had spent more than one year in prison. Bureau Report