Pakistan is duty bound to maintain the safety and security of Indian prisoners, the MEA Spokesperson said

Six Indian prisoners have died in Pakistani custody in the last nine months, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday, describing the situation as "alarming". Five of them were fishermen.

"There have been an increasing number of deaths of fishermen in recent times. Six Indian prisoners out of which five were fishermen have died in Pakistani custody. They completed their sentences but were illegally detained by Pakistan," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at the weekly media briefing.

“These incidents are alarming. The matter has been raised by our High Commission in Islamabad. Pakistan is duty bound to maintain the safety and security of Indian prisoners,” Bagchi added.

On July 1 this year, India had asked Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 536 Indian fishermen and three Indian civilian prisoners to India who have completed their sentence and whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to Pakistan.

In addition, Pakistan was also asked to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 105 fishermen and 20 civilian prisoners who are in Pakistan's custody and are believed to be Indian.