India to release all 59 Pak fishermen on May 27

New Delhi, May 23: India will release all 59 Pakistani fishermen in its custody on May 27 as a goodwill gesture.

The fishermen will be sent back to Pakistan from Munabao (Rajasthan) by Thar express. They were taken into custody while fishing in Indian waters between September 2005 and February 2006.

''The Pakistani fishermen are being released unilaterally on humanitarian grounds,'' an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said today.

There are 505 Indian fishermen in Pakistan who were taken into custody by Pakistani authorities between September 2005 and March 2006.

In addition, 287 Indian fishing boats are in Pakistani custody since October 2003.

''The Government of India is continuing its efforts to secure the release of Indian fishermen and their boats,'' the spokesman added.

UNI