KARACHI: India Coast Guard authorities have arrested nine Pakistani fishermen and seized their boat, Al Madina, marking the second such incident in a month. Earlier, Indian forces had detained 11 Pakistani fishermen on December 12.
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The detained fishermen have been identified by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) as Mohammed Idris, Mohammed Yousuf, Fareed Aslam, Mohammed Hussain, Ibrahim Sona Mian, Mohammed Shahid, Mohammed Younis, Mohammed Haroon, and Arif Hassan.
Indian Coast Guard intercepted Pakistani fishing boat ‘AL-MADINA’ in Indian waters. 9 Pakistanis were on the boat.
Every Pakistani is a terrorist. They should be treated as terrorists. It was just a failed attempt to enter India imo. pic.twitter.com/tMKGrBwXm2
— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) January 15, 2026
The repeated arrests have raised alarm in Pakistan’s fishing community, which relies heavily on the sea for its livelihood. PFF Chairman Mehran Ali Shah condemned the detentions, calling them “unjust” and “inhumane” under the pretext of disputed maritime boundaries. He urged the immediate and unconditional release of all fishermen currently held in Indian jails.
Fatima Majeed, senior vice chairperson of PFF and chairperson of the Fishermen Cooperative Society, highlighted the human and economic cost of these arrests. “It is not just a loss of fishermen but also of their boats, which they construct themselves with limited resources. Even after release, boats are rarely returned,” she said.
Majeed also stressed the wider impact on families. “Many of those arrested are the sole earners. Their families, especially women and children, face severe hardships. Arresting fishermen for earning a livelihood is a violation of human rights,” she added.
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In September last year, 48 Pakistani fishermen were released from Indian jails, but recent incidents have seen 20 more detained in just the past month. PFF continues to document such cases and liaise with government authorities to secure their release.