Lahore, Jan 6, TEN Network | The 20 Indian fishermen, who were released from a Pakistani jail on Sunday in a goodwill gesture amidst tense bilateral ties, reached the Wagah Border on Monday.
The Indian fishermen, most of whom hail from Andhra Pradesh, were handed over to the Border Security Force by the Pakistan Rangers, officials said.
The fishermen left for Lahore on Sunday by train after their release from the Malir District Prison in Karachi, Sindh province.
“Upon their arrival, the Edhi Foundation received them at the Lahore railway station and took them to its centre where they were provided food and new clothes,” a foundation official told PTI.
An official of the Rangers confirmed the handing over of the fishermen to the Indian authorities.
Earlier talking to reporters on his release, fisherman Gir Somnath said, “We were arrested at sea by the Pakistan Coast Guard for crossing over to Pakistan waters in November 2018.”
District Jail Malir Superintendent Aurangzaib Kango said the released Indians were sentenced to six months imprisonment but their release was delayed because of the process of the completion of their documents and nationality confirmation.
He said some 200 Indian fishermen were still imprisoned in Pakistan of whom 189 are fishermen.
Tension between India and Pakistan spiked following New Delhi”s decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5, revoking the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir.
Following this, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic relations with India and also expelled the Indian high commissioner. (PTI)
