NEW DELHI, Dec 23: India said on Tuesday it had arrested 12 Pakistani fishermen and their boat after they strayed into its territorial waters, an event that would be routine, but for the prevailing tensions between the two countries.

The announcement acquires importance because of its association with the sea route that the Nov 26 terrorists had used to allegedly land in Mumbai from Karachi after hijacking an Indian fishing trawler.

The news item was posted on the official website of the official information bureau alongside important events, which included Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s address to Indian heads of mission abroad.

The report tersely said: “Indian Coast Guard Ship Meerabehn on routine patrol on Dec 22, apprehended one Pakistani fishing boat AL-Zainab Reg. No. 15401-B in posn 23 DEG 27.56N 067 DEG 56.93E 09 Nautical miles from International Maritime Boundary line within Indian waters in the noon hours. The boat was carrying eight crew and 500 kgs of fish (approx.).

The boat was brought to Jakhau harbour for further investigation.”

It said during preliminary investigation it was brought out that all the crew were resident of Ibrahim Hydery area of Karachi. “The boat sailed out from Ibrahim Hydery Bunder on Dec 14 at 1000 hrs. The details of the crew brought out during preliminary investigation indicated there were three boys aged 10, 12 and 16 among them.

“The apprehended were handed over to Jakhau Police Station by the Coast Guard (on Tuesday),” the report said.