Sailor killed in operation against Indian vessels fishing in Pakistani waters

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani sailor was killed during an operation against Indian fishing vessels operating illegally in Pakistan’s territorial waters, the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) said on Thursday.
A PMSA ship patrolling Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) encountered around eight Indian vessels that were engaged in illegal fishing activities well within Pakistani waters, according to the PMSA.
To evade capture, one of the fishing boats increased its speed and started moving toward Indian waters. During pursuit, the fishing vessel (FV) ignored multiple verbal warnings and instructions to stop and cooperate, before finally slowing down and allowing a PMSA team aboard.
“After PMSA personnel were on the FV, it suddenly accelerated and altered its heading thereby colliding with the PMSA ship. Consequently, the FV capsized and sank with all personnel onboard i.e. PMSA boarding team & fishermen being thrown into sea,” the PMSA said on X.
“Subsequently the FV sank in the same position. PMSA ship acted swiftly to rescue five out of seven Indian fishermen and the four PMSA personnel. However, regrettably one PMSA sailor, namely Muhammad Rehan, later embraced martyrdom, while two remaining Indian fishermen are still missing at sea.”
It said a search and rescue operation for the two missing Indian fishermen was in progress.
“The bravery and sacrifice of the PMSA sailor who lost his life in the line of duty is a somber reminder of the risks involved in operations at sea,” the agency said.
“Legal proceedings have been initiated against the Indian fishermen for this reckless and unlawful behavior at sea and illegal fishing in Pakistani waters.”
Both India and Pakistan periodically arrest each other’s fishermen for allegedly crossing their maritime border in search of a better catch. But both sides every year release some prisoners after negotiating their release.
The two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbors, who gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947, are archrivals mainly because of the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.