Missing Indian Soldiers
Fifty four (54) missing defence personnel of 1965 and 1971 Wars (including one from Border Security Force) are believed to be in the custody in Pakistan.
The Government has repeatedly been taking up the matter with the Pakistan Government. However, Pakistan does not acknowledge the presence of any such personnel in its custody. A delegation of 14 relatives of missing defence personnel also visited 10 Jails in Pakistan during 1st June, 2007 - 14th June, 2007. The delegation, however, could not conclusively confirm the physical presence of any missing defence personnel.
Following media reports stating that some Indian prisoners of 1971 War were lodged in Omani Jail, the Indian Embassy in Muscat (Oman) formally took up the issue with Omani Foreign Office seeking factual status and consular access and release of Indian POWs, if any, in Omani Jails. However, there has been no official / formal response from the Omani side.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to ShrimatiSupriyaSule andDr. Sanjeev Ganesh Naikin Lok Sabha today.
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