Indian soldier who crossed LoC by mistake is in our custody, admits Pak
New Delhi: Indian Army soldier Chandu Babulal Chohan, who "inadvertently crossed over" to the other side of the Line of Control (LoC), a day after the surgical strikes, is in Pakistan's custody, confirmed Pakistan’s DGMO on Thursday.
According to ANI, the neighboring country's DGMO accepted that Chandu Babulal Chauhan is in their custody. This is the first reaction by Pakistan on the incident.
Earlier, it was reported that Pakistan will formally treat captured Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chohan as a Prisoner of War (PoW) and accord him the treatment prescribed under the Geneva Convention.
Pakistan is viewing Chohan as an active combatant captured after India announced to the world that it had carried out surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Chohan, a soldier from the 37 Rashtriya Rifles had inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the LoC with his weapon on September 29. However, he had nothing to do with the Army’s surgical strikes on terror launchpads in PoK.
In times of peace, if anyone inadvertently crosses over, Indian and Pakistani Army local commanders get in touch through flag meetings at the LoC and hand back the people. If required, the DGMOs of the two Armies can also get in touch. In October 2011, for example, an Indian Army helicopter with four Army personnel on board flew by mistake into PoK and landed there. Pakistan handed back the men and helicopter.
Previous instances
In July 2012, India handed back a Pakistan Army soldier who had sneaked across the LoC allegedly to meet his girlfriend.
In August 2014, Pakistan handed back an Indian soldier who had been swept away by the river Chenab into PoK.
In September 2015, Pakistan handed back an Indian civilian woman who had strayed across the border inadvertently into PoK.
