KATHMANDU: Authorities in Jhapa district said they released 13 personnel of Indian Sashastra Seema Bal after they apologised to the Nepali side for unintentionally entering Nepal.

Police earlier this morning had detained the armed personnel of the Indian border security force  after they had entered Nepal, apparently chasing some smugglers.

As the detainees expressed their apologies saying they mistakenly entered Nepal, they were handed over to the SSB Battalion Commander GB Negi, the Rastriya Samachar Samiti quoted Jhapa's Assistant Chief District Officer Damaru Niraula as saying.

"They admitted the error," the official added,"We released them under the responsibility of the concerned commander."

After they entered Nepal allegedly to follow betel nut smugglers, the Nepali authorities had detained the Indian personnel for about five hours.

An Armed Police Force team had detained them upon arrival on the Nepali land.