Islamabad

Pakistan has decided to release 365 Indian prisoners as a goodwill gesture, the interior ministry announced Thursday.

The prisoners include 340 fishermen and 25 crew members of their boats, Xinhua reported quoting the ministry.

All the Indian prisoners have completed their jail terms and will be sent back to India through the Wagah border crossing Saturday.

Eight juveniles are also among the prisoners to be freed from the Youthful Offenders Industrial School in Karachi, officials said.

The announcement to release the Indian prisoners came at a time when tension has increased between the two nuclear-powered neighbours over cross-border shelling.

Pakistan and India routinely arrest fishermen as there are no maritime boundaries between the two nations. Both the countries have held series of talks but have not yet reached any agreement.

Pakistani authorities have already informed Indian officials about the decision.

By:IANS

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