20 Indian fishermen released from Karachi jail, over 500 still in Pakistan prison

Twenty Indian fishermen who were arrested by Pakistani officials crossing the border four years ago were released from a jail in Karachi on Sunday.

They left by bus for Lahore from where they will cross the Wagah border into India.

"They are going back today after spending around four years here," said police officer Arshad Shah.

"They were caught crossing the border. They remained under detention till the Indian High Commission confirmed that they are Indian citizens," he added.

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Shah said there were still 588 Indian fishermen in the jail, who would be released after legal procedures were completed.

Ravindra Kumar Govind Bhai, one of the released fishermen, said they were all very happy to be leaving for India.

"We have had no contact with our families so we are very happy. Our families will be surprised and happy to see us. They don't know whether we are alive or dead," he said.

Hundreds of fishermen remain jailed in Pakistan and India after being arrested for fishing in each other's waters.

Since their boats do not have modern navigational equipment, they often stray across the border.

Pakistan and India are bitter foes and have fought four wars over the past 74 years.