Surjeet Singh, who spent over three decades in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail on the charge of spying, was shifted from the Kot Lakhpat Jail to the Wagah border crossing under heavy police protection and handed over to the Indian authorities.

His family from Ferozepur and villagers, who were in full celebration mode, were at Wagah to receive him. Singh, who was welcomedby Indian officials after he walked to the other side, said he had been well treated during his long term of imprisonment.

Singh was given the death sentence under the Pakistan Army Act in 1985. He was arrested in 1982 and his family said that until 2005, they had no idea if he was even alive. The death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 1989 by then President Ghulam Ishaq Khan.

He told the media waiting at the Wagah border that he was very happy with his release. “I am waiting to hug my children and go to the Golden Temple,” he said. “I was treated very well by the Pakistani authorities, all through these years,” he added.

In the 30 years that have passed, one of Surjeet Singh’s sons died and his other children have got married.As soon as Singh landed in India after his release, he confessed that he had gone to Pakistan for spying.