Freed Indian fishermen handed over to BSF at Wagah: ISPR
The fishermen thank Pakistani government for releasing them
October 31, 2017
KARACHI: Pakistani authorities on Monday handed over 68 Indian fishermen to the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at Wagah border crossing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
Pakistan on Sunday released 68 Indian fishermen held for trespassing into its territorial waters as a goodwill gesture to India.
Officials of the Ministry of Interior and Punjab Rangers handed over these fishermen to the BSF at Wagah border crossing, the ISPR said in a statement.
The fishermen, on the occasion, thanked the Pakistani government, it added.
Out of the 68 fishermen, 66 belonged to the Indian province of Gujrat, while two of them hailed from Uttar Pradesh.
Speaking to media on Sunday, the Indian fishermen said that the behaviour of the Pakistani jail officials was very cooperative and they were allowed to carry out religious rituals on Diwali.
Indian and Pakistani fishermen are frequently detained for illegal fishing since the Arabian Sea border is not clearly defined and many boats lack the technology to fix their precise location.
The fishermen often languish in jail, even after serving their terms, as fulfilling formalities can take a long time due to poor diplomatic ties between the two neighbours.
In July, Pakistan released 78 Indian fishermen held for trespassing into its territorial waters.
