KABUL – Afghan officials in southern Kandahar province are saying that theauthorities have handed over two detained Pakistani soldiers to Pakistaniauthorities near the Durand Line.

According to the officials, the two Pakistani soldiers were detained nearlythree years ago after they crossed into the Afghan side of the Durand Line,Khaama Press has reported.

The Spin Boldak Commissioner Mohammad Sharif Gharzai said the two soldiershave been released on a gesture of goodwill between the security forces ofthe two countries.

He said the soldiers have been handed over unconditionally and on a gestureof goodwill between the two sides as the Pakistani authorities had earlierreleased two Afghan soldiers who had crossed into Pakistan.

“FC Bln hands over 2 Afghan Soldiers Hayat Ullah and Lateef Ullah Khan backto Afghan Authorities today at Chaman. Both had crossed over to Pakistanand were arrested by FC,” the Pakistani military said in a statement lastweek.

The statement further added “The return of serving Afghan National Army andAfghan Border Police soldiers is on humanitarian grounds as good willgesture.”