4 Indians released from Pakistan jails back home

Four Indian civil prisoners have been released by Pakistan and reached India on Thursday. 

The prisoners are Suraj Ram, Sohan Lal, Mohamed Maqbul Lone and Abdul Majid. "Four Indian civil prisoners were released in Pakistan and they have crossed over to India this afternoon," Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry Gopal Baglay said. He said they were released from Pakistani jails on completion of their sentences. The release of the prisoners by Pakistan comes amid escalating tensions between the two countries over a range of issues.

Details of the offences for which they were imprisoned were not immediately available.  India has released 13 Pakistani prisoners including, two children, as a goodwill gesture this month. Most of them had crossed over to India inadvertently. Earlier in March, India released 39 Pakistani prisoners, comprising 21 civil prisoners and 18 fishermen, after Pakistan confirmed their nationality. The release of the prisoners came in response to Pakistan freeing 217 Indian fishermen as part of a goodwill gesture in December last year.