14 Pakistani fishermen repatriated via Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar

While fishing in the sea, they entered territorial waters of India around three years ago.

India repatriated 14 Pakistani fishermen who were arrested for allegedly entering its territorial waters in the Arabian Sea, through the Attari-Wagah border on Tuesday.

The released Pakistani fishermen at the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar on Tuesday (HT Photo)

While fishing in the sea, they entered territorial waters of India around three years ago. After being kept in various jails of the country, they were freed and sent back to their country. Border Security Force (BSF) personnel handed them over to the Pakistan Rangers.

‘Mistakenly’ entered territorial waters’

Arresting and sentencing each others’ fishermen is usual practice exercised by both the countries as they “mistakenly” enter the territorial waters of the other country.

“We are poor people and go for fishing for our ends meet. We don’t enter territorial waters of the other country deliberately. Still, we are arrested and are made to languish in jails for many years. Even our boats are also seized,” said a fisherman, before crossing the border.

He requested governments of both the countries to resolve their issue and not to arrest them while fishing.

“The problem of the fishermen of both the countries is same,” he said.

Pakistan government should also release the Indian fishermen languishing in Pakistan’s jails,” he added.