10 Indian fishermen caught bartering with Pak anglers

Ten fishermen on two boats were caught while allegedly exchanging food articles with Pakistani fishermen off Okha coast near International Maritime Boundary with the neighbouring country by the Indian Coast Guard.

During joint interrogation by local police and Coast Guard, it was found that 10 fishermen on two boats, registered in Porbandar, took chocolates, milk pouch and a packet of cigarettes from Pakistani fishermen in exchange of some ice and fish.

"After interrogation, the Coast Guard handed them over to us for further action.
Upon searching their boats, Coast Guard found around 10 chocolates, a milk pouch and a pack of cigarettes made in Pakistan. They claimed to have acquired it by exchanging ice and fish with Pakistani fishermen," said Mayank Pandya, PSI of Okha Marine Police station in Devbhoomi-Dwarka district.

They were caught by Coast Guard on November 22 in the Indian waters off Okha coast.

"Coast Guard learned that two of our boats went inside the Pakistani waters. To find out their motive, these boats were intercepted in the Indian waters near Okha by a patrolling vessel of Coast Guard. Upon searching, officials found these articles in their boats," said Pandya.

"Though they were caught in Indian waters, we have lodged a formal investigation against these fishermen and started our investigation," Pandya added.