Islamabad, Aug 26 (IANS): Pakistani human rights activist Ansar Burney on Wednesday demanded immediate release of a nine-year-old boy detained in India since last 18 months on a crime he "never committed".

Burney, former federal minister for human rights, sent letters to the authorities in New Delhi, asking for immediate release of Ghulam Hussain son of Jumman Thero, who is detained in Jamnagar Central Jail in India for over a year. Hussain was eight years old when arrested in India, Daily Times reported.

Hussain and his father Thero, along with other fishermen, were reportedly apprehended by Indian Coast Guard while they were fishing in Pakistani waters. Last month, Indian authorities released 88 fishermen including Jumman Thero and sent them back to Pakistan via Wagah but refused to release nine-year-old Hussain.

Burney requested the Pakistan ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Interior Affairs to take up the matter with Indian authorities on an urgent basis.