43 Indian fishermen arrested by Pakistan authorities
Pakistani authorities arrested 43 Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing illegally in the country's territorial waters on Thursday.
Seven boats of the fishermen were also seized.
A spokesperson for Pakistan's Maritime Security Force (PMSF) said that "the fishermen were arrested yesterday and have been handed over to the Docks police".
He also added that the fishermen were arrested as PMSF were conducting exercises near Pakistan's maritime border in the Arabian sea.
Commander Wajid Nawaz Chaudhary said that "the docks police will now present them before a judicial magistrate who will most likely send them, in judicial remand to jail."
"The Docks police will now present them before a judicial magistrate who will most likely send them in judicial remand to jail," Commander Wajid Nawaz Chaudhary said.
About 144 Indian fishermen have been arrested in over a month by the PMSF for alleged illegal fishing in Pakistani waters.
In November about 133 Indian fishermen were arrested and at least 17 boats were seized by the PMSF.
The number of such arrested Indian fishermen has gone up to 400 so far this year.
Since the Arabian Sea does not have a clearly defined marine border, fishermen from Pakistan and India are frequently detained for illegally fishing in each other's territorial waters.
(With inputs from news agency)