Islamabad, January 21 (Express Tribune): An Indian soldier, Chandu Babulal Chohan, earlier said to have been captured by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, was handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border in Punjab on Saturday.
“Chohan, who was stationed in Indian-occupied Kashmir, deserted his post at LoC due to maltreatment by his commanders,” a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
“He [Indian soldier] willfully crossed LoC on 29 September 2016 and surrendered to the Pakistan Army,” the communique added.
The ISPR asserted that it is a “gesture of goodwill and in continuation of Pakistan Army’s efforts to maintain peace and tranquility along the LoC and Working Boundary.”
“Chohan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah Border on humanitarian grounds”.
Earlier, an Indian army official claimed: “It is confirmed that one soldier from 37 Rashtriya Rifles with weapons had inadvertently crossed over to the Pakistan side of the Line of Control.”
The official told Reuters that such incidents of people including civilians crossing the frontier by mistake have happened in the past from both sides and those who strayed have been returned.
(The featured image at the top is that Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chohan)
