Amritsar: Thirty-three Indian nationals who
were languishing in Pakistani jails were released by the
government there as a mark of goodwill gesture.
All the Indian nationals were freed last evening from the
old land transit route of Attari-Wagah border, said official
posted at Attari border.
Released Indians crossed over to India on the basis of
`Emergency Travel Certificate` issued by the Indian High
Commission based at Islamabad in Pakistan.
Thirty fishermen were arrested by the Pakistani Coast
Guards around a year back when they slipped into Pakistani
territorial water during fishing in the Arabian sea.
Rest of the three Indians were arrested for allegedly
indulging in spying activity, as they crossed over to Pakistan
inadvertently whereupon Pakistan border guarding forces
arrested them, officials said.
Majority of the Indian prisoners were lodged in the
Kotlakhpatrai jail of Pakistan, facing unhygienic conditions,
alleged released prisoners.
However, Pakistani authorities refused to return boats,
confiscated by Pakistani Coastal Guards, to freed fishermen.
PTI
