KARACHI, Oct 24: The Maritime Security Agency (MSA) on Thursday arrested some 40 Indian fishermen for fishing in Pakistani waters, an official said.

The Indian fishermen were fishing in Pakistani creeks some 40 nautical miles west of the Sir Creek early Thursday morning, said MSA spokesman Commander Mohammad Farooq. He added that the fishermen were formally arrested before being handed over to the Docks police for further legal proceedings.

The Docks SHO said the FIR (482/2013) was registered against the Indian fishermen on behalf of the state under Sections 3/4 of the Foreigners Act and 3/9 of the Fishery Act.

Owing to the absence of a clear demarcation of the sea border — the Sir Creek — between India and Pakistan, fishermen of both the countries often stray into other country’s waters and are caught by the law-enforcement agency officials of that country and sent to jail. They serve out long terms and are released only after the confirmation of and recognition by the country of their origin. At any given time there would be a large number of fishermen of one country in the prisons of the other country.