Pakistan returns jawan who crossed LoC hours after Army's surgical strike

New Delhi: Pakistan on Saturday handed over to India its soldier who had inadvertently crossed the LoC hours after the Army’s surgical strike in September last year. Chandu Babulal Chavan, 22, returned through the land transit route of Attari-Wagah border.

The BSF handed him over to the Army which took him to an undisclosed location. Chavan, posted with 37 Rashtriya Rifles, had mistakenly crossed the boundary in Kashmir hours after India’s surgical strikes on terrorist bases across the LoC.

Army doctors to examine Chavan
Pakistan on Saturday handed over to India its soldier who had inadvertently crossed the LoC hours after the army’s surgical strike in September last year.
Chavan’s brother Bhushan Chavan, who is also a soldier, said he is thankful to the Army for its effort.

“I am thankful to the DGMO and the Army for the efforts they have made. I am never going to forget this. I am also a soldier and will continue to do my duty with full honesty till my last breath,” he said.

“I am grateful to the villagers and everybody who prayed for not just my brother but for a soldier of this country,” Bhushan said. Chavan belongs to Borvihir village in Dhule district of Maharashtra. His grandmother had died of shock following the news of his capture by Pakistani troops.

Chavan will be first medically examined by the team of Army doctors. Minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre said his ministry and the DGMO had been constantly trying to secure the release of the jawan.