GUJARAT - Reciprocating Pakistan’s gesture, India on Wednesday released 32 Pakistani fishermen lodged in Kutch district and they were already on their way to Wagha border in Punjab to return to their country. Pakistan released 151 Indian fishermen before the visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to New Delhi to attend Narendra Modi’s swearing-in as prime minister.
“These 32 fishermen from Pakistan have been in Joint Interrogation Centre for almost six months. They were captured while fishing inside the Indian maritime boundary and kept in Bhuj-based JIC. We have released them today. Our team has already left for Wagha border with these fishermen,” Kutch-West Superintendent of Police Vidhi Chaudhari said.
The 32 fishermen will be handed over to Pakistani authorities at the Wagha border. Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Tuesday announced that officials of the State fisheries department will arrive at Veraval on Thursday (today) with the 151 fishermen who were handed over to Indian authorities at Wagha border by Pakistan.