KT NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, Feb 16: As part of the ongoing peace process, India on Monday decided to release and repatriate eight Pakistani civilians including four boys who had been detained after they had strayed into Indian side of the border in Gujarat and Punjab.
They would be repatriated tomorrow, External Affairs Ministry spokesman said.
The announcement came as India and Pakistan began three-day official level talks in Islamabad to chalk out modalities for the composite dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues including Jammu anmd Kashmir.
While four Pakistani nationals were detained in Gujarat, the boys were kept in a juvenile centre in Faridkot, Punjab.
The spokesman said this decision is part of the peace initiatives India is progressively taking up.
He said the four Pakistanis detained in Gujarat were extended consular access on May 19, last year and issued travel documents by Pakistan High Commission on January 12, this year to facilitate their return.
He said there were eight boys in all.
They were granted consular access on October 3, last year.
Out of the eight, one boy was repatriated on November 14, last year.
Travel documents for four others have been issued by the High Commission.
Nationality of three other boys, including a 10-year-old, has not yet been confirmed by the Pakistani authorities, he added.
The spokesman also told newsmen that Indian and Pakistani officials in Islamabad on Monday discussed modalities and time frame for resumption of composite dialogue process.
He said the proposals were exchanged in this regard.
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