Pak to return captured jawan today

BSF trooper was washed away by Chenab river

A Border Security Force (BSF) trooper, who was captured by Pakistan after he was washed away to their territory by a strong current in Chenab river on Indo-Pak border, will be handed over to India on Friday.

The decision on the release came after a commander level flag meeting was held in the Nikowal border post area in Jammu’s Sunderbani sector between the BSF and Pak Rangers on Thursday.

Satyasheel Yadav (30), a trooper attached to the water wing of the BSF, was on patrol with seven other personnel in two boats in the Paragwal-Khour sub-sector of Akhnoor along the Line of Control (LoC). One of the boats suffered a technical snag  and Yadav was washed away. 

The soldier landed 400 metres away in the Sialkot sector of Pakistan, where he was picked up by the Pakistani Rangers, sources said. BSF sources said Yadav is in good health and he will be handed over to India at around 3 pm.

In Lahore, a senior Rangers official was quoted by PTI as saying, “We have decided to free the Indian soldier. We have completed his interrogation. He will be handed over to the BSF in the presence of the media after a flag meeting with BSF in Sialkot on Friday morning.” 

India also raised through diplomatic channels, both in India and Islamabad, the expeditious release of Yadav. Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Mansoor Ahmed Khan was called to South Block where Joint Secretary Rudrendra Tandon conveyed the Indian request.  

“A similar request was also made by Indian Mission officials in Islamabad,” External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

“It is an unfortunate incident, we are sure that Pakistan will deal with this issue like a good neighbour,” Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for PMO, said. Reports also suggested that Yadav was questioned by ISI. Indian officials said there was nothing to worry about and that it was normal procedure.

The BSF said the trooper had reached the Pakistan territory “accidentally” and he was not part of any “action” that the border guarding force was conducting.