Attari (PTI): A former constable Kashmir Singh returned home on Tuesday to a hero's welcome and reunited with his family amid tears and hugs, a day after he was freed after languishing in Pakistani jails for 35 years.

"It is my new birth," said 67-year-old Singh, who was released last night from a Lahore prison getting a pardon from Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf after being convicted on espionage charges.

Bald and white-bearded, Kashmir Singh had tears in his eyes as he crossed over to the Indian side of the Indo-Pak border here at 12:45 pm and was greeted by his wife and son, who was just 5 when he left India, ending their long wait.

Dressed in a white shirt and camel-coloured trousers, Singh, who looked physically fit, was brought in an official vehicle symbolizing efforts by India and Pakistan to normalize relations.

"Never have we seen before an Indian prisoner being escorted in a flag car of a minister," said Pakistan Human Rights Minister Ansar Burney who accompanied him. Burney was intrumental in getting Singh released.

Singh's 65-year-old wife Paramjit Kaur offered him flowers and fed him a sweet.

Singh was arrested in 1973 when he was a 26-year-old trader in electronic goods. He was detained during a business trip to Rawalpindi and convicted of spying and sentenced to death by a military court.

Talking to reporters, Singh said "I have no wishes left. I have got everything now. I thank President Pervez Musharraf and Human Rights Minister Ansar Burney". Singh later left for his Nangal Choran village in Hoshiarpur district.

Struggling to control her emotions, Paramjit Kaur said it was the happiest moment of her life. "I am very happy today".