Two Indian nationals, who had been languishing in a Pakistani prison for eight years for “illegal border crossing”, were handed over to Border Security Forces personnel at the Wagah border, a government official said on Tuesday.
The official told PTI that in 2013, Indian nationals – Sharma Rajput and Ram Buhadar – entered Pakistan territory via the Line of Control (LoC) from Kashmir and were arrested by Pakistan Rangers. Later, it appeared that they were mentally-challenged, he said, adding that they had apparently crossed the border inadvertently. “Their pictures and other credentials were shared with India and finally after admitting them as its citizens, the Rangers handed them over to the BSF on Monday,” the official said. Police and Rangers had arrested the 19 Indians from different parts of the country under the Security Act and Secret Services Act of the country and the cases are still pending before the Federal Review Board for more than a year. They have been kept in different jails. They were produced before the Federal Review Board comprising judges of the Superior Court and the federal interior ministry presented their charges. The board extended their detention till the decision on their cases is made based on the investigation report of the interior ministry on whether they should face trial or should be set free, officials said.
