Kashmir frees six jailed Pakistani militants

JAMMU - The Jammu and Kashmir government has set free six Pakistani militants and sent them to the Attari border checkpost in Punjab for their deportation to Pakistan, official sources said.

Three others, including a woman caught while crossing the border, have also been set free.

“At least six Pakistani militants were set free (Tuesday) evening. The militants were set free after Pakistan agreed to accept them. The process was completed through diplomatic channels,” said an official who did not wish to be named.

Cases of nearly 35 other Pakistani militants are being processed. They would be set free in the next couple of months, the sources said.

All the militants were arrested or captured by the security forces over the years during encounters with them or security forces’ raids at their hideouts.

India started releasing and repatriating Pakistani militants two years ago. So far, more than 50 militants have been set free and handed over to Pakistani authorities at the Attari border checkpost.

The six militants and three others set free now are likely to be handed over to Pakistani authorities Wednesday.