Nepal Releases 13 Indian Border Servicemen After Detention

Thirteen unarmed soldiers of the Indian Armed Border Force (SSB) have been released after they were detained in Nepal, local media reported Sunday

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier reports claimed that nine soldiers were being held hostage.

According to the NDTV television channel, two soldiers accidentally entered Nepal when following smugglers who were attempting to cross the border. The smugglers then detained the soldiers and passed them on to the Nepalese police forces, the media outlet reported.

More soldiers were detained when they went to Nepal to retrieve their colleagues.

All 12 were released after senior SSB officials raised the issue with the Nepalese Armed Police Force, according to NDTV.

India-Nepal relations have been strained in recent months after the protests by the Nepalese Madhesi ethnic community, who are against the new constitution of the country. The Madhesi community, which has cultural ties with India, has been blocking the border crossings with India. Nepal blames India for supporting the Madhesis, a claim New Delhi denied repeatedly. India has restricted supplies to Nepal amid the situation.