Pakistan hands over Indian soldier captured from LoC

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan on Saturday handed over Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chohan, who was captured from the Line of Control (LoC), to Indian authorities. 

Foreign Office spokesman confirmed that Chohan was handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border. He was captured on  September 29, 2016 and had been in custody every since.

A press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations said that the Indian soldier was stationed in Indian-occupied Kashmir, and had “willfully crossed LoC on 29 September 2016 and surrendered himself to Pakistan Army”.

 

The statement added that Chohan had deserted his post due to “grievances of maltreatment against his commanders.” However, Chohan has now been convinced to return to his own country and will be returned on humanitarian grounds.

It further said that move is continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity along LoC and Working Boundary (WB).

Chohan was captured when Indian forces opened unprovoked firing at the LoC and martyred two Pakistani soldiers. Indian claimed to have carried so-called surgical strikes, a claim which was vehemently denied by Pakistan.

Chief of Army Staff General Qammar Javed Bajwa had earlier this month rejected claims of ‘so called surgical strikes’ by Indian forces and its recurrence, and said that Pakistan armed forces are fully geared to respond to any aggression.

Pak Army returning Indian sldr #Chandu Babulal Chohan to India as goodwill. He deserted to Pak on 29 Sep 16 on grievances against his comds. pic.twitter.com/YtOkh7WZE0

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) January 21, 2017