Indian fisherman killed in suspicious mid-sea firing

The Marine police suspect the firing, which took place 100 nautical miles from Okha port, was carried out by Pakistan

An Indian fisherman was killed in a mid-sea firing incident off Okha block of Devbhoomi Dwarka district of Gujarat on Friday morning. The Marine police are suspicious the firing, which took place about 100 nautical miles away from Okha port, was carried out by Pakistan marines.

The fisherman reportedly killed in the alleged firing has been identified as Iqbal Bhatti (40), a resident of Okha.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), however, did not confirm that the firing was done by Pakistan, even as an ICG vessel rushed to the spot in mid-sea.

According to an official communique by the Indian Coast Guard, at about 9:30 am the ICG Ship Vijit intercepted a VHF call seeking its assistance for an Indian fishing boat being fired upon by an unidentified boat 10 nautical miles across the notional International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).  

"Simultaneously Indian Coast Guard Station Okha received information from the owner of the fishing boat 'Premraj' that the boat was fired upon whilst fishing along the notional International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Fishing boat named 'Premraj' had gone to the sea since September 8 and on Friday Morning boat owner informed Okha marine police about the incident.

On receipt of information the two Indian Coast Guard Ships Vijit and Meera Behn on patrol were immediately diverted towards the position of the incident to investigate and render assistance.  In addition, Coast Guard Dornier aircraft was also launched from Porbandar to undertake aerial surveillance of the area along the notional IMBL.

"Fisherman was killed in the firing about 100 nautical miles far from Okha port. The boat owner has informed us that some unknown fired on the boat and one man was killed in it," Okha marine police officials stated.

Marine police officials also informed the ICG and navy about the incident. It is yet to be confirmed whether the Indian boat had crossed the international sea border or not.

The ICG is returning with the boat and is likely to reach at Okha port by Friday midnight.