NEW DELHI, Dec 15:
More than two-and-a-half months after Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan “inadvertently crossed over” to Pakistan, India today said it remains hopeful of his return as the issue has been raised both at diplomatic and military levels with Pakistan.
“We remain concerned over early return of Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan. This is a matter which has been raised both at the diplomatic level and military level.
“This figured during the conversation of two (Indo-Pak) DGMOs also… We have given note verbale to Pakistan Foreign Office. We remain hopeful that eventually he will return back to India,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
According to Government, Chavan, posted with 37 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, had “inadvertently crossed over” from his post on the LoC on September 29.
Swarup also maintained India had given consular access to Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist Bahadur Ali, arrested in Jammu and Kashmir following an encounter in July, to which Pakistan has not agreed.
On the contrary, Pakistan is not giving India consular access to Kul Bhushan Jhadav despite New Delhi’s repeated requests, Swarup added.
Asked about Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief and 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s rally yesterday in PoK during which he instigated people, he dismissed it as saying, “What is new in that? Their only job is to spew venom at India, promote violence and terrorism.” (PTI)
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