Pak frees 33 Indian prisoners as 'goodwill gesture'

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.