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Vajpayee seeks release of PoWs, Musharraf promises action

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Monday demanded that Pakistan release prisoners of war who New Delhi 'strongly believes' are in that country.

In response Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf promised to 'personally get involved' and release any PoW found there.

Islamabad has consistently denied that Pakistan has Indian prisoners of war.

"We have consistently for over two decades urged Pakistan to release the 54 Indian PoWs that we strongly believe remain in your custody," Vajpayee told Musharraf when they met for summit talks.

"This is a human problem. I would urge that Pakistan take urgent and purposeful action to end the agony of the families of the soldiers," Vajpayee told Musharraf.

Meanwhile, Musharraf in an interaction with senior Indian editors on Monday said, "he felt sorry for the parents who are looking for their soldier sons who they think are in Pakistan since 1971. We would be mad to retain a PoW for 30 years."

Stating that as a soldier he would be the first man to release any PoW if he came to know of it, Musharraf said, 'as the issue is being raised again and again, I will look into it myself and personally get involved."

PTI

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

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