The water wing of the Border Security Force seized another Pakistani boat with five fishermen at Sir Creek off the Kutch coast on Saturday. Official sources said the arrested fishermen were being brought to Koteshwhar for questioning.
This is the third incident of Pakistani fishermen infiltrating into Indian waters in the last four days. Earlier this week, two boats, each carrying six fishermen, were apprehended almost in the same region on two consecutive days. The sudden step-up in the intrusion of Pakistani trawlers is baffling the authorities. The vigil in the region has been intensified.
Three Pakistani boats with 20 fishermen on board were seized simultaneously off Jakhau in the Kutch coast in November last. Exchange of fire between the BSF personnel and the vessels coming from Pakistan, purported to be “fishing boats,” has also been on the rise.
Meanwhile, another Gujarat-based cargo vessel, “Seaking,” hijacked by Somali pirates last month, has been released, according to Vahanvatta Association of Gujarat secretary Ashok Bhanushali. The vessel, registered in Gandhidham, was hijacked while on way to Dubai from Somalia about 12 days ago. All the 11 crew members were safe. This is the fourth Gujarat-based vessel to be released.
