PMSA arrests 12 Indians, seizes two vessels for illegal fishing

KARACHI: The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) on Sunday arrested 12 Indian fishermen for fishing illegally in Pakistani waters, a spokesperson from the agency said.

According to the spokesperson, the PMSA carried out an operation in the open sea during which the agency arrested 12 Indian fishermen and seized two of their vessels for illegal fishing. The arrested fishermen were handed over to the Docks police for further legal action, the spokesperson added.

Indian and Pakistani forces regularly detain each other’s fishing vessels and crews for alleged illegal fishing within the other side’s territorial waters. However, there has been a sharp increase in the number of operations and, consequently, arrests and vessel seizures with the start of the fishing season this year.