March 13, 2002

    During the 1971 war, 532 Indian soldiers were taken prisoners of war by Pakistan. All these soldiers have been repatriated to India. Subsequently, Government were informed about 54 missing Indian soldiers who are believe to be Pakistani jails. The Government has consistently taken up the issue of their release and repatriation with the Government of Pakistan at all levels. During the Agra Summit on July 15 last year also, Prime Minister urged Pakistani President to take urgent purposeful action towards the release of these POWs.

    Pakistan has never acknowledged the presence of any POW in its custody. Following the Agra Summit in July last year, Government of Pakistan reportedly conducted another search for Indian POWs but again reiterated that there was no Indian POW in Pakistani Jails. Government would continue to take up this issue with the Government of Pakistan.

    This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Dr. AK Patel in Rajya Sabha today.