AMRITSAR – India on Monday released 39 Pakistani prisoners, including two women, officials said, less than a week after Islamabad set free an Indian jailed in the country for 23 years. They were handed over to the Pakistan Rangers at the Wahga Border, after which they were received by the team of Edhi Volunteers. Majority of the prisoners were held on violation of maritime-belt.
Indian border guard officer Lakhbir Singh told AFP that the detainees were held in eight separate prisons on charges of either overstaying their visa or illegally crossing into India. Pakistan last week released a jailed Indian national who had been held for 23 years. The freed male Pakistanis were transferred to the Edhi Home, Gulberg, while the females were shifted to the Balqees Edhi Home, Township, from where they will be transported to their respective homes.
As a reciprocal act of goodwill, Pakistan will also release 100 Indian prisoners on April 15.