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Pakistan arrests 12 Indian fishermen

December 18, 2011 16:44 IST

Pakistani authorities have arrested 12 Indian fishermen and seized two boats for allegedly violating the country's territorial waters, a spokesman for the Maritime Security Agency has said. The fishermen were handed to the docks police in Karachi, the spokesman said on Saturday.

He contended that the fishermen were found within Pakistan's exclusive economic zone.

India and Pakistan arrest hundreds of fishermen every year on charges of violating their maritime boundary.

In a single sweep last month, the MSA arrested 122 Indian fishermen and seized 23 fishing boats on charges of poaching. The two countries have taken some steps in recent months to expedite the release of fishermen who have completed their jail terms.