On January 23, 2025, Babu, an Indian fisherman, passed away in a Karachi jail. This is the ninth time in the past two years that Indian fishermen have died while in Pakistani captivity.
Officials and advocacy groups have expressed concerns over the treatment of Indian fisherman in Pakistan after Babu reportedly served his entire sentence but was still detained because of delays in his release.
Pakistani officials have incarcerated at least 180 Indian fishermen since 2023; several of them have been imprisoned for longer than their sentences.
In order to guarantee the safety and rapid release of fishermen entangled in territorial disputes between India and Pakistan, this episode has sparked calls for increased diplomatic engagement.
