Delhi asked to free detained boys

Islamabad: Human rights groups in Pakistan have demanded the repatriation of two Pakistani boys who strayed into Indian territory and are in police custody in Barmer, Rajasthan.

Azhar Ansari, 16, and his cousin Zoaib, 10, crossed into India on Saturday after running away from home following an argument with their parents.

Reports say the Rajasthan Police have confirmed that nothing incriminating has been found on the two boys, who were caught by the Border Security Force after they crossed over to India.

"Their only wrongdoing was that they had crossed the border into India by digging the earth under the barbed wire fence, which divides India and Pakistan at the Munnabao border," said former minister for Human Rights Ansar Burney.

Burney said Indian authorities had assured him the boys would soon be sent back to Pakistan after certain formalities are completed. Burney, who recently concluded a visit to India, said the government had agreed to repatriate to Pakistan about 150 prisoners lodged in Indian jails.