June 04, 2007	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 18, 1428

KARACHI, June 3: A 14-member Indian delegation arrived here in Karachi on Sunday in search of Indian soldiers who went missing during 1971 war.

The delegation, which also includes relatives of some missing soldiers, will visit the Central Prison of Karachi on Monday. During its 15-day visit in Pakistan, the delegates would also go to the prisons in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Multan and other cities.

Headed by Mr G.S. Gill, the delegation wanted free access to all prisons in Pakistan so that they could search for more than 50 Indian soldiers, who they believed were still alive in Pakistani captivity.

On Saturday, the delegation searched the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore where they met 59 Indian prisoners and verified jail record but found no information relating to the missing POWs.

Though the Pakistan government, prior to permitting their visit, had made it clear that no Indian military man of 1971 war was present in any of its prisons, the delegation is still hopeful as it carries some letters reportedly written by Indian soldiers, including the one by POW Ashok Suri which speaks of presence of 25 Indian officers in a Karachi jail.

Meanwhile, Sarim Burney of the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust met the delegation at a local hotel and offered his help when the delegates showed him letters, reportedly written by Indian soldiers from Pakistani jails, and newspaper clippings as a proof of their presence in jails. Indian High Commission officials were also present.