NEW DELHI, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Thirty Indian prisoners including 27 fishermen were Monday handed over to Indian authorities by Pakistan, Indian officials confirmed.
"Pakistan today released 30 Indian prisoners as a goodwill gesture. The prisoners, including 27 fishermen, were handed over to Indian officials at Wagah border," an official said.
Islamabad described the move as humanitarian gesture and expected a similar response from New Delhi.
"This is a humanitarian gesture to mark Pakistan's Independence day on August 14," a Pakistan Foreign Ministry's statement said.
"It is our hope that the Indian side will also reciprocate in a similar manner."
According to Indian officials as per a government report submitted in country's top court last month, over 470 Indians, including 418 fishermen, were languishing in Pakistani jails. Fishermen of two countries are often jailed for accidentally crossing into each other's territory. The fishermen from the two countries traverse poorly defined boundary in the international waters as most fishing boats lack technologies to locate exact positions.
