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First Look: Free at Last
September 12, 2005

The first batch of 435 Indian prisoners who were released from Pakistani prisons crossed Wagah border at 1.35 pm over to India.

Pakistan's Federal Minister of Interiors Waseem Sajjad coordinated the release of prisoners from the Pakistani side and Bharatiya Janata Party member of Parliament Navjot Sidhu is doing the same on the Indian side.

Of those released, 371 are fishermen and 64 other civilian prisoners.

Joyous and emotional scenes were witnessed on both sides of the border as the freed men walked into the arms of their relatives, many of whom had yearned for this moment for more than 10 years.
 
Photo 1: Pakistani prisoners (top) and Indian prisoners (down) cross the Wagah Border Check Post.
Photo 2: Pakistani prisoners kiss the ground on their arrival at the Wagah border check post.
Photo 3: Former Indian prisoner Suraj Bhan (centre) is watched by Indian officials as he kisses the ground at the Wagah Border Post.
Photograph: Arif Ali /AFP/ Getty Images and NARINDER NANU/AFP/Getty Images


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