Islamabad, August 27:

Senior Pakistan interior ministry officials left for neighbouring India today for talks on securing the release of hundreds of prisoners from both countries, officials said. The talks, which begin on Monday, will also include discussions on combating terrorism and controlling smuggling and drug trafficking. Pakistan and India are believed to be holding hundreds of each other’s nationals who have been languishing in prison after wandering across the poorly marked border. Before leaving for India, Syed Kamal Shah, the head of the Pakistani delegation, told reporters that he hoped the two sides would reach an understanding on releasing the prisoners. Pakistan and India have a history of bitter relations, and have fought three wars after gaining independence from Britain in 1947.