Free at last: Pakistan releases 29 Indian prisoners at Attari international border

Attari: On Monday Pakistan released an Indian after he spent 36 years in prison there. The Indian prisoner was sent home via Attari border. Jaipur resident Gajanand Sharma had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan in 1982, following which he was arrested and sentenced for just two months of imprisonment. He should have been deported immediately after completion of his sentence awarded by a Pakistani court but it took him 36 years to get access of the council and complete deportation formalities.

On Monday, when 68-year-old Gajanand returned from Pakistan, he could barely speak. Clad in a kurta pyjama, he appeared disoriented and needed help from BSF troops to walk. While handing over Gajanand to them, Pakistan Rangers told BSF personnel that his repatriation was a goodwill gesture ahead of Pakistan’s Independence Day. 

Gajanand was part of 29 Indian prisoners who were released by Pakistan on Monday from Attari international border while India also repatriated seven Pakistan prisoners upon completion of their jail sentences.

Sehdev said Gajanand’s wife Makhi Devi and son Mukesh had been relentlessly trying to know his whereabouts and used to contact the Indian prisoners who were being released by Pakistan. However, he expressed ignorance as to how Gajanand crossed the international border and reached Pakistan. He said they would consult a doctor and if he allowed only then they would leave with Gajanand for Jaipur late on Monday.