Pakistani soldier crosses over

SRINAGAR: Barely 24 hours after handing over two Pakistani boys, who had inadvertently crossed over, to the Pakistani authorities in Rajasthan sector, the Border Security Force (BSF) has arrested a Pakistani army soldier in RS Pora sector of Jammu.

The BSF’s Jammu region PRO Pawan Kumar said Mohd Zahir of 11 Punjab regiment of the Pakistani army was arrested by a patrol party at 8.30 pm on Thursday on the international border (IB) in RS Pora.

“He (Zahir) was unarmed and in civvies when he was spotted by the troopers. Challenged, he immediately surrendered, after which he was taken into custody. We are questioning him and it seems it is an inadvertent crossover,” Pawan said, adding, “The soldier hails from the North Western Frontier Province. His unit is based in Sailkote. A decision on his future will be taken only after the questioning.”

This is the second crossover by Pakistani soldiers on the international border in the same sector in the last two months. On February 10, three Pakistani army sportsmen of 19 Punjab regiment were apprehended loitering near the area.

The three were handed over to Pakistani Rangers after a flag meeting between the two sides in Suchetgarh area of RS Pora.

BSF director general AK Mitra had recently said those crossing the international border inadvertently would be sent back. “It is actually happening. Those who cross over inadvertently are being sent back within 24 hours,” he said.
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