Pakistan fires on Indian fishing boat; 1 fisherman dead

An Indian fishing boat was fired on and then rammed by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA ) on January 17 at 7 am near Mitha Port in Gujarat. Seven fishermen fell overboard, of whom six were rescued by the Indian coast guard. 

The fishing boat sank about 64 nautical miles southwest of Mitha port. 

The one fisherman missing is presumed dead.

India raised the matter with Islamabad on January 19 through a note verbale sent from the Ministry of External Affairs.

New Delhi said in the note verbale: "India condemned in the strongest term such deplorable and unprofessional act by PMSA of firing at a fishing vessel and later ramming and sinking it".

The note verbale added that "such acts are in contravention of all international laws, conventions and the established humanitarian norms and practices."

India also called on Pakistan to "investigate the heinous act and instruct" its forces to "desist from such acts immediately".

This is the first such incident to come to light in recent years. An Indian fisherman was killed In 2015 in Pakistani firing. 

The issue of Indian fishermen has been one of the key matters India has been raising with Pakistan. According to India, Pakistan has in its custody 418 fishermen who are Indian or are believed to be Indian. Since 2014, India has got back 1,699 Indian fishermen and 57 Indian fishing boats from Pakistan. 

Speaking in Parliament on the issue of Indian fishermen in Pakistani custody, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh had said, "Government regularly takes up the issue of early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen along with their boats with the Pakistan authorities."