PESHAWAR: Pakistan on Friday handed over 29 Afghan nationals, apprehended during Operation Zarb-i-Azb from different areas of North Waziristan Agency, to Afghanistan as 'goodwill gesture'.

The Afghan nationals were in custody of Pakistani security forces and were handed over to Afghan authorities at Ghulamkhan on Pak-Afghan border today, said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

It said that Afghans were apprehended during Operation Zarb-i-Azb from different areas of North Waziristan Agency.

After detailed investigation it was established that these individuals did not have links with terrorists, but were illegal immigrants, living without valid documents, said the statement.