They were in Indian waters when Pak navy opened fire: Palghar fisherman's family

One of the boats that was attacked

Open, indiscriminate firing by Pakistani navy killed a 36-year-old fisherman and injured five others, while they were in a fishing boat in the Arabian Sea off Gujarat on Saturday evening. The firing was targeted at five to six boats. While the deceased's family claims the boats were in Indian waters, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence refused to comment on the incident saying that they are yet to receive any information. Meanwhile, the local cops have started probing the matter.

The deceased has been identified as Shreedhar Ramesh Chamre, a resident of Vadrai village of Palghar district. Chamre's cousin Praful Bhoir told mid-day that Pakistan forces opened indiscriminate fire at five to six fishing boats on Saturday evening.

Deceased Shreedhar Ramesh Chamre

"My cousin died on the spot while the boat's driver Dilip Solanki suffered injuries. I have been told that all the fishing boats were sailing in Indian waters, yet the Pakistani forces opened fire at the fishermen. Five of them are seriously injured. They are recuperating in a hospital in Gujarat," said Bhoir, who is the president of Akhil Maharashtra Macchimar Kriti Samiti in Mumbai.

"My cousin Chamre was on Jalpari fishing boat. He lived in Okha from where he sailed for fishing along with other fishermen in the last week of October," Bhoir added.

Bhoir's colleague in Palghar district Vinod Patil said, "The family members are in shock as Chamre was the only earning member. There are several gunshot marks on the boat Jalpari. It was a narrow escape for the boat's driver as a bullet brushed past his face." An officer attached to Okha Marine police station told mid-day that Chamre's body had been sent for post-mortem to Jamnagar.

(Right) One of the fishing boats, Jalpari, has several marks from the gunshots; Jalpari's driver Dilip Solanki suffered injuries in the gunfire. Pics/Hanif Patel

"The deceased was a resident of Palghar district while the boat's driver Solanki is a resident of Diu. The Navi Bandar police in Porbandar district will investigate the matter after an FIR is registered," said a police officer. "The injured have been admitted to Guru Govind hospital in Jamnagar," he added.

When asked about the incident, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence refused to comment. He said, "We have not received any information from the ministry. The local police are probing the matter."

Chamre is survived by his wife, two daughters and elderly parents. None of them were in a condition to speak to anyone.