Pakistan hands over soldier Chandu Chavan, who accidentally crossed LoC last year

Pakistan on Saturday handed over Indian soldier Chandu Chavan, who strayed across Line of Control (LoC) hours after the surgical strike in September last year, to Indian authorities at Wagah.

Recruited in the Indian Army's Armoured Corps in 2012, Chavan, 22, was posted with the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) along the LoC. In late September, he was captured after inadvertently crossing over to Pakistan.

Over a week ago, Union Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre had said that they (Pakistan) have admitted that Chandu Chavan was alive, and that they will soon release him after inquiry, which is nearing completion.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh had also called up the family of the solider and assured them that efforts are being made to secure his release.

Chavan's grandmother had passed away after hearing the news of his crossing over to Pakistan.