Pakistan Marine Security Agency Enters Indian Waters, Abducts 8 Gujarati Fishermen with Okha Boat; Families anxious

Pakistan Marine Security Agency (PMSA) allegedly intercepted an Indian fishing boat from Okha near the international maritime boundary off Porbandar and abducted all eight crew members on board, according to preliminary inputs from local authorities and community sources. The incident, reported close to the Indian side of the Arabian Sea, has triggered panic among coastal families and heightened security vigilance.

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What happened

• The seized boat is believed to be registered at Okha port, with all eight fishermen reportedly hailing from Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district, as per initial verification.
  
• The crew was fishing near Porbandar for their livelihood when PMSA personnel allegedly intruded, boarded the Indian vessel, and forced the boat and crew towards Pakistani waters.
  
• News of the abduction spread rapidly in fishing villages, leaving families distressed and the wider fishing community on edge amid recurring instances of cross-border detentions at sea.

Security response

• The Indian Coast Guard and other maritime security agencies have gone on alert, officials indicated.
• Patrols have been intensified across the sector to monitor movements and assess any further risks along the international maritime boundary line.

Context

• Fishermen from both countries frequently operate near the IMBL in the Arabian Sea, where rough weather, drifting nets, or navigational errors can lead to inadvertent crossings.
  
• Such episodes often result in detentions, vessel seizures, and prolonged legal processes before consular access and repatriation are arranged through established diplomatic channels.