Pakistan boys return home

Two Pakistani boys, who were arrested after straying across Barmer border in Rajasthan, were handed over to the Pakistani authorities as they were found innocent.

"The two Pakistani boys Azhar Ansari (18) and his cousin Zoaib Ali (10) were sent back to their country on Thursday evening since nothing incriminating was found against them during interrogation," Additional SSP Shivraj Meena said.

They were quizzed by a team of officers from BSF, RAW, CID and Rajasthan Police, Meena said, adding nothing incriminating was found against the two.

"As per the report submitted by the investigating teams, the boys were innocent," he said. The duo, who apparently dug the earth below a barbed wire fence on the Indo-Pak border to sneak into Barmer on Saturday, were apprehended by the BSF and handed over to police.

The two had said that they were depressed after a tiff with their parents and had left their home after stealing some money. Some India currency notes and a mobile charger were recovered from their possession, Meena added.

Earlier, the families of the boys made an appeal to the governments of both the countries to take steps for their early release.

"We want the Indian and Pakistani governments and all civil society groups to help us to get them back. Our children have made a mistake," they said.