Srinagar 7 April (KNB): On the night of 05 April, a youth who had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control (LoC) into Karnah, Kupwara of Jammu and Kashmir, was repatriated to Pakistani authorities on Wednesday, said officials.
Officials said that the youth identified as Mausam son of Manzoor Ahmad from Lipa area of PoK was kept by the Indian troops deployed along the line of control for the night with due care & Pakistani authorities were informed of the whereabouts of the child.
“Based on the interaction between the authorities of both sides on the Hotline, the Indian authorities repatriated the youth to the Pakistani authorities from Tithwal crossing point as a humanitarian gesture,” said the officials.
They added that the youth was presented clothes and sweets, in return. On the occasion of repatriation, the representatives of civil administration, Karnah were present. The exchange took place at 1150 a.m. Indian standard Time on 07 April.
“Such inadvertent crossings have taken place earlier also due to close proximity of villages along line of control on either sides. However, the Indian side has always been prompt in returning the individuals keeping the humanitarian issue in mind,” official added.
They further said that the Tithwal Crossing Bridge located on Kishanganga river has been acting as a point of peace between the two sides. It would be pertinent to highlight that the site is visited by lots of people from either sides and is emerging as a tourist site especially after the recently agreed ceasefire between India and Pakistan. The peace and tranquility as a result of the agreement, is being appreciated by the civil population on either sides of the line of control, officials said. (KNB)