40 Indian fishermen detained by Pakistan off Gujarat coast

The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (MSA) has detained at least 40 Indian fishermen and seized seven of their boats near Jakhau port, off the Gujarat coast early on Friday, according to the National Fishworkers' Forum.

"The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency apprehended at least 40 Indian fishermen along with 7 of their boats near Jakhau port off the Gujarat coast at the Arabian sea late last night," Secretary of National Fishworkers' Forum (NFF) Manish Lodhari told PTI.

Of the seven boats, six had ventured into the sea from Okha port while one is registered in Porbandar, Lodhari claimed.

"Primary reports have revealed that all of them were captured near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), as these fishermen may have crossed the line due to dense fog early in the morning. There is a possibility that the count of seized boats and fishermen may rise," he said.

As there are no physical markings in the sea, fishermen are dependent on the GPS system installed on their boats to find their exact location and proximity with IMBL.

"However, GPS is not fitted in all the boats. Moreover, only the latest GPS devices show the IMBL on the screen, while older devices do not support that function. As a result, it is difficult for fishermen to determine their exact location, even if they have GPS facility," Lodhari said.

-PTI