Pakistan releases 86 Indian fishermen: officials

Pakistan on Sunday released 86 Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture amid tensions over an Indian airbase attack, officials said.

The fishermen, who had been detained over illegal fishing in Pakistani waters, were released from a jail in the port city of Karachi, jail officials said.

The group of freed fishermen boarded buses to travel to the eastern city of Lahore where they are expected to be handed over to the Indian authorities at the Wagah Border on Monday.

Pakistan and India routinely catch fishermen who cross water boundaries for illegal fishing.

Groups working for the welfare of such fishermen said the fishermen mistakenly enter other's waters as the two rivals have not yet reached an agreement on maritime boundaries.

The fishermen were set free at a time when relations between Pakistan and India are at the lowest ebb again after a group of militants attacked an Indian airbase in early January.

India blamed a Pakistan-based group "Jaish-e-Mohammad" for the attack that prompted action by the Pakistani authorities against the outfit.

India postponed official talks with Pakistan that had been scheduled to be held in mid-February. Enditem