Pak Army jawan detained with SIMs
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 12: For the first time since the outbreak of over two decades long militancy, a Pakistan Army soldier of 25 Frontier Force, was captured alive by the troops after he intruded into Indian territory from the Line of Control (LoC) in forward area of Kirni in Poonch sector early this morning.
The Pakistan Army jawan, who was in possession of currency, SIM cards and a leave certificate, was captured at village Kirni, about 25 kilometers from Poonch, where population has been settled ahead of the fencing, official sources said.
The Army jawan has disclosed his identity as Arif Ali, 19, son of Bashir Ahmed, a resident of Quetta, Pakistan, posted in 25 Frontier Force. He had only two years of service as he had been recruited in 2010.
Arif was in custody of Indian Army till late tonight and was being questioned to ascertain reasons behind his intrusion, which was the first of its kind in Poonch sector since the outbreak of militancy.
At the time of arrest, Army recovered Rs 13,300 in Pakistan currency, two SIM cards (one each of U Phone and Zang company), one leave certificate, one nail cutter, one civil identity card, one bus ticket and a comb from the possession of Arif, who was in civil dress.
Army immediately shifted Arif to a camp in Poonch sector and started his questioning to know the reasons and circumstances in which he crossed over to this side.
Army has sounded External Affairs Ministry, Defence Ministry and Army Headquarters in New Delhi about the infiltration of Pakistan Army jawan. Army authorities later briefed Pakistan Army officials about detention of their jawan in Indian territory.
Under the Rule Book and ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, the Army soldier had to be repatriated to Pakistan, sources said, adding that repatriation could take place tomorrow as a flag meeting had to be arranged for the purpose between Commanders of the two Armies.
“The flag meeting could take place any time tomorrow in which Arif would be handed over to Pakistan Army. This is the Rule Book and this is the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, which would be followed”, sources said, adding that many questions would remain unanswered.
In October last year, an Indian Army helicopter had strayed into Pakistan territory from Kargil sector. The helicopter was returned and all occupants were repatriated to Indian Army by Pakistan the same day.
Sources said the suspicion has arisen about the activities of Pakistan Army jawan though he had been claiming that he was depressed for delay in sanction of his leave and entered into this side by mistake. Another version pouring in was that he had developed love affair with a girl living in Kirni forward area, ahead of fencing, during his posting at Pakistan’s Saifullah Post opposite Kirni in Poonch sector.
Another unofficial version said his fiancé had come to her maternal uncle in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district during weekly crossing on Poonch-Rawlakote route from Hajeera in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). On being teased by his colleagues that his fiancé won’t return now, he crossed the border.
However, Army was not ready to give any reasons for the intrusion of Pakistan soldier. They said the questions have arisen as to whether the Army jawan had intentionally been pushed into this side to develop new infiltration routes, contact and find new sources in Kirni, where a large population was living ahead of fencing and whether he had to deliver SIM cards of Pakistani companies to some Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of the militants?
The militants had been finding it very difficult, rather impossible, to infiltrate into this side from twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri despite repeated attempts in Krishna Ghati, Mendhar and other sectors in the past few months.
Army had reports that 50 militants were ready to infiltrate into this side from across the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts to boost the morale of few left out militants in Jammu region. Army has already been maintaining a very high alert on the LoC and the arrest of Pakistan Army jawan was possible due to this alert within minutes of his infiltration into this side.
Sources said Army Headquarters in New Delhi has been briefed in detail about the arrest of Pakistan Army jawan, recoveries made from his possession and disclosures made by him during questioning. The Army Headquarters have further briefed the Defence Ministry and the External Affairs Ministry.
The Army Headquarters would give a formal order for repatriation of Pakistan Army jawan after instructions from the Defence Ministry and the Foreign Ministry, sources said, adding that the repatriation could take place tomorrow during a flag meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh.
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