Ahmedabad: Coast Guard Rescues Seven Indian Fishermen Detained by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency

In a successful operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued seven fishermen who had been detained by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) off the Gujarat coast. The fishermen were held aboard a PMSA vessel near the maritime boundary between India and Pakistan.

The incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon when the Coast Guard received an urgent distress call from the Indian fishing boat Kal Bhairav, which was operating near the No-Fishing Zone (NFZ). The distress message reported that the PMSA had intercepted the boat and taken the seven crew members into custody.

Responding immediately to the emergency, the Coast Guard dispatched a patrol vessel to the area near the India-Pakistan Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Despite efforts by the PMSA ship to retreat, the Indian Coast Guard managed to intercept it. After tense negotiations, the PMSA crew was persuaded to release the detained fishermen.

The fishermen were safely rescued and found to be in good health, though they appeared shaken by the ordeal. Unfortunately, Kal Bhairav was severely damaged in the confrontation and ultimately sank during the altercation.

The Indian Coast Guard brought the rescued fishermen back to Okha harbour on Monday, where authorities from various agencies, including the ICG, Gujarat police, intelligence departments, and the fisheries department, began a joint investigation. The focus of the inquiry will be to understand the details surrounding the collision between the PMSA vessel and the Indian fishing boat, as well as the events leading up to the rescue operation.

The incident highlights the ongoing maritime tensions in the region and underscores the importance of coordination between India’s maritime forces and law enforcement agencies to safeguard the lives of fishermen operating along the volatile India-Pakistan border.