Pakistan will release more than 350 Indian fishermen languishing in its jails this month with the first batch of nearly 100 fishermen being repatriated to India on Monday.

Pakistani officials are understood to have informed the Indian authorities about the decision to release the Indian fishermen who strayed into the Pakistani waters while fishing. The first batch of 100 fishermen would be handed over to the Indian authorities at the Wagah border crossing on Monday.

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Indian sources confirmed that arrangements were being made to receive the first batch of Indian prisoners. However, there was no word on whether India was considering a reciprocal move.

Pakistan’s move comes two days after India sent a “Note Verbale” to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, asking for the release of a total of 385 Indian fishermen and 10 civilian prisoners in Pakistan’s custody.

“There are 385 Indian fishermen whose nationality has been conveyed to Pakistan and who have been languishing in Pakistan jails. It is requested that urgent and concrete steps be taken to repatriate them to India at the earliest, along with their boats,” the External Affairs Ministry said in the note.

Indications are that Pakistan would release a total of 360 Indian prisoners, including 5 civilians, in batches during the month.

This is said to be one of the biggest such release of Indian fishermen by Pakistan, which, many believe, could lessen the tensions between the two neighbouring countries.