Pakistani soldier handed over by Indian Army

A Pakistani soldier, who had crossed over to this side of the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, was on Friday handed over to Pakistan by the Indian Army.

The custody of 19-year-old Arif Ali was transferred to the Pakistan Army at a flag meeting along the LoC in Chakan-Da-Bagh Crossing Point in Poonch district at 1010 hours.

"We have repatriated the jawan back to Pakistani authorities as a goodwill gesture today," Brigade Commander Poonch Brigade, Brig MK Magoo, told reporters in Poonch.

The meeting was attended by Major Hamid Gul of 653 Mujahid Regiment from Pakistan and Major A Manhas on this side.

During questioning, the soldier claimed that he was mentally disturbed when he crossed over to the Indian side, Magoo said.

Ali, who is part of Pakistani Army's 25 Frontier Force (FF), and is posted at Saifullah along the LoC in PoK, was arrested in Kerni forward area in Poonch district by Indian troops yesterday.

He is a resident of Quetta in Pakistan and had reportedly crossed to the Indian side for a girl in Kerni village, which is located on the Zero line opposite to Pakistani posts.

In October 2011, Pakistan had allowed an Indian helicopter that had strayed across from Kargil to return to India within four hours.