Three boys from Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PaK), who were apprehended along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch two days ago, are being repatriated, army said on Friday.
Addressing media persons in Poonch, a commander of 10 Infantry KG Brigade, according to news agency GNS, said that at around 3:45 p.m. on 18 August 2021, Indian army personnel deployed along the LoC through a well coordinated and established surveillance system observed some suspicious movement.
“Immediately a cordon was established and three individuals were apprehended,” he said as per GNS, adding, “These individuals turned out to be young children aged between 9 and 17 years.”
He said these three children had inadvertently crossed the LoC while carrying fishing activity.
The army officer said that there was fourth individual who returned back and army did not open fire “because he too was a child”.
“As they claim, they are from Troti Darmshall and Chattra which is across the LoC,” the army commander said, adding, “These children were taken care of compassionately and provided requisite provisions for comfortable stay as is our culture.”
GNS while quoting the official sources identified the trio as Danyal Malik (17) son of Mohammad Niyaz Ali of Lassi Mang Chattra, Arbaz Rahim (13) son of Abdul Rahim of Troti Chattra and Umair Rahim (9) son of Abdul Rahim of Troti Chattra.
The army officer said these children will be repatriated to PaK as was done for Sana and Laiba, two young girls who had cross the LoC under similar circumstances on December 6, and Haider Ali, a mentally unsound person, on December 31 last year.
