India detains nine Pakistani fishermen, seizes fishing vessel

The Indian Coast Guard has detained nine Pakistani fishermen and seized their fishing boat after claiming it was operating in Indian waters close to the International Maritime Boundary Line.

According to Indian media reports, the vessel, named Al-Madina, was stopped by the Coast Guard on January 14. Officials said that a search of the boat found nine crew members on board at the time of interception.

Following the interception, the fishing vessel was confiscated and is now being taken to Porbandar port in the Indian state of Gujarat.

This is not the first such incident in recent weeks. In December, Indian authorities also detained 11 Pakistani fishermen, including two minors, and seized their boat.

While Indian media claimed the December arrest took place on December 10 after the boat allegedly crossed into Indian waters near Jakhau, Pakistani sources have maintained that the fishermen were operating close to Kajar Creek.

Kamal Shah of the Coastal Media Centre said all 11 fishermen belonged to Karachi’s Ibrahim Hyderi area and had gone out to sea for routine fishing when they were detained.