Pakistan releases 144 Indian fishermen

Attari: Pakistan on Friday released 144 Indian fishermen via Attari border in Punjab’s Amritsar.

The fishermen had allegedly entered and fished in Islamabad’s territorial waters.

The freed Indian fishermen were handed over to the Indian authorities at the Attari border.

“I’m feeling very good (after getting free). All other fishermen who are in jails should also be released soon. So that they can meet their families,” said a released fisherman.

They were released following last week’s announcement by Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal that 291 fishermen will be released on humanitarian grounds in two phases.

He said the fishermen will be released in the first phase on December 29 and January 8.

The Indian and Pakistani forces often detain each other’s fishermen for trespassing territorial waters.

(ANI)