Coast Guard Frees Six Indian Fishermen Captured By Pakistan In High Seas Off Gujarat Coast

Indian Coast Guard ship 'Arinjay' was alerted on radio of an emergency involving an Indian fishing boat Harsiddhi-5 from Jakhau. Here is what happened next.

Indian Coast Guard officials with the 6 Indian fishermen

An Indian Coast Guard ship acted in the nick of time to rescue six Indian fishermen who were being taken to a Pakistani port by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), ANI reported. According to Indian Coast Guard officials, the incident happened on October 6.

Indian Coast Guard ship 'Arinjay' was alerted on radio of an emergency involving an Indian fishing boat Harsiddhi-5 from Jakhau. The boat was engaged in fishing activities close to the maritime boundary line off the Gujarat coast, Indian Coast Guard officials told ANI.

"On receipt of the information regarding distress onboard Harsiddhi, on radio, ICG ship on patrol immediately proceeded with maximum speed towards the reported position," ANI quoted an official as saying.

When the Coast Guard ship arrived at the spot, it found debris of the fishing boat along with one survivor in the water and a few lifebuoys of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency Ship (PMSS) Barkat.

The Coast Guard then rescued the fisherman, who was partially conscious, and administered first aid. The fisherman told the Coast Guard officials that the PMSS Barkat had fired on the Indian fishing boat and hit it twice on October 6, resulting in the sinking of the boat.

Six out of the seven crew members were taken as prisoners by the Pakistani ship, according to the survivor.

The Coast Guard ship then bagn to move in the direction of the Pakistani boat and informed PMSS Barkat to promptly release the Indian fishermen as they were captured on the Indian side of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

PMSS Barkat cooperated with the Indian Coast Guard and released the crew safely near the IMBL, ANI reported.

First aid was given to the crew before they were taken to Jakhau. The situation involving the shooting and hitting of the fishermen's boat is being investigated, and the issue will be addressed appropriately through the proper channels, ANI reported.

An FIR has been filed in connection with the incident.

(With inputs from ANI)