The Border Security Force (BSF) on August 24, confirmed the arrest of 15 Pakistani fishermen along with the seizure of an engine-fitted country boat near the Indo-Pak border in Gujarat’s Kutch district. The operation was carried out in the challenging terrain of Kori Creek, a marshy border area often exploited for illegal fishing and infiltration attempts.
According to officials, the action followed specific intelligence inputs received by the BSF. Acting swiftly, personnel of the 68th Battalion launched a search operation on Saturday (August 23) in the general area of a border outpost.
During the extensive search of adjoining ‘bets’ (marshy islands), the jawans spotted and intercepted an unidentified boat. “An extensive search was carried out in the adjoining bets and during the search, 15 Pakistani fishermen were apprehended along with one engine-fitted country boat,” the BSF said in its release.
The boat was found carrying:
Nearly 60 kilograms of fish
Nine fishing nets
Diesel, ice, and food supplies
Wooden sticks
A mobile phone and Rs 200 in Pakistani currency
The arrested fishermen have been identified as residents of Sujawal district in Sindh province of Pakistan.
The Kori Creek region in Kutch, where the arrests took place, is known for its sensitive and porous nature. This tidal estuary, lying close to Sir Creek, has long been a hotspot for illegal fishing activities, smuggling, and occasional infiltration bids. The BSF routinely conducts patrols in this marshy terrain to prevent security breaches along the western frontier.
While the BSF has not reported any weapons or narcotics from the seized boat, officials confirmed that investigations are underway to ascertain whether the intrusion was purely for fishing or had any potential security implications.
The fishermen, along with the seized items, have been handed over to concerned agencies for further questioning.
