Pakistan demands probe into deaths of 2 Pakistani prisoners in Indian custody

Lahore, June 13 : Pakistan's government on Friday urged the Indian authorities to probe into the deaths of Pakistanis in its custody after receiving the bodies of two prisoners from New Delhi.

According to the News, Pakistani border official Colonel Tariq Janjua said the bodies were handed over to the relatives at the main international checkpoint between the two countries at Wagah near the eastern city of Lahore.

He revealed the identifications of the dead as Abdul Halim, 31, who was arrested in 2001 after crossing into India from southern Sindh province, and Shahida Bibi, a 60-year-old woman accused in 2005 of smuggling drugs.

Janjua said the causes of death were unclear.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry expressed "deep concern" over the treatment of Pakistanis in Indian jails and has asked for a thorough investigation into the deaths.

The Ministry said that Pakistan and India had signed a pact last month on consular access to prisoners in each other's jails.

ANI