THATTA: Amid mounting tension along the Pakistan-India border, the Maritime Security Agency (MSA) on Friday warned fishermen visiting Sir creek and Kajhar creek waters about a possible provocative action by Indian forces.

The fishermen were advised to immediately report to the MSA Keti Bunder base about the presence or movement of Indian vessels in the creek areas, said the people who cut their fishing trip short and returned to the Keti Bunder coast while speaking to the media.

An MSA official confirmed to Dawn that fishermen had been warned about a possible provocative action by Indian forces.

It was learnt that the warning, part of the tightened security along Pakistan’s coastal belt, was based on intelligence reports about a possible Indian incursion into Pakistani territorial waters to provoke a flare-up amid border tension in Punjab.

Confirming that the warning had been issued to fishermen, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum chairman Mohammad Ali Shah appreciated the MSA for beefing up security and taking measures to save fishermen from possible attacks or arrests. However, he said, the heightening tension between the two countries would adversely affect the community’s only source of livelihood. He added that the fishing community was already facing hardship due to the restrictions relating to fishing in the area. “A restriction on fishing within the two creeks and their surrounding areas is bound to deprive the community of their livelihood for an unspecified period of time which is a cause of serious concern,” he said while speaking to this reporter.

He said the MSA and Pakistan Navy should provide proper security to fishermen within the country’s territorial waters instead of asking them to stop fishing.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2014