BSF seizes Pakistani fishing boat from Sir Creek area in Kutch

BHUJ: In the third incident of its kind within a month, the Border Security Force (BSF) found a Pakistani fishing boat at 'Harami Nala' in the Sir Creek area of Kutch region during routine patrolling, officials said here today.

"The BSF found an abandoned Pakistan boat today from canal number 117 at Harami Nala in Kutch inside Indian territory," a senior BSF official said.

The 32-feet long and and eight-feet wide boat was found by a BSF patrol during a routine excercise, the official said.

When asked about any probability of incursion, the BSF official said that Pakistani fishermen are attracted to the Indian side, because this side has more quantity of fish. However, he ruled out chances of any incursion.

"They would have come here for a good catch, but they might have fled after seeing our patrol. In the hurry to save themselves, they would have abandoned their boat here," the official said.

In a similar incident on December 19, a Pakistani boat was found abandoned at 'Harami Nala' near Sir Creek area in Kutch region of Gujarat by the BSF, while last month, a Pakistani boat was found abandoned in the same area.

'Harami Nala' is a marshy, sluggish and shallow water canal, spread over 500 square kilometres on the India-Pakistan border here. The marshy topography makes it difficult for troops to react swiftly against infiltration.

Both India and Pakistan have been engaged in a political battle over this area, which could be rich in oil and gas.