PoK boys sent back home with gifts

Srinagar: Two boys from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir who had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control (LoC) but were soon caught by the Indian Army last week were on Tuesday sent home with gifts, including cricket bats.

A defence spokesperson  here said that 13-year-old Wasalat Khan, son of Naseer Khan, and 12-year-old Muhammad Iftikhar Khan, son of Muhammad, both residents of Simari village in PoK, crossed over the de facto border on May 23. “They were apprehended by an Army patrol but returned safely through the Tithwal crossing point in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara district yesterday (Tuesday)”, the spokesperson said.

The duo had told the Army and the J&K police officials who questioned them that they had lost their way and entered the Indian side of LoC.

“The Army’s patrol displayed remarkable restraint and professionalism in securing the boys from the danger zone without any harm,” the defence spokesperson said.

“As a goodwill gesture, the young boys were treated with utmost care and provided with all medical and other administrative provisions during their stay here and were today handed over to PoK officials in the presence of officials from J&K police and civil administration and a large gathering of villagers on both sides,” a statement issued by Chinar Corps of the Army added.