The Indian Army captured a Pakistani soldier when he crossed over to Indian side in Kerni area of Poonch sector in Jammu region early on Thursday morning.
According to a defence spokesman, 19-year-old Ali was posted as a sepoy in 25 Frontier Force, currently deployed at Safiullah-II post along the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan . He was in civil dress and unarmed when he was caught.
Two SIM cards issued in Pakistan, a civilian identity card, a leave certificate and Pakistani Rs.13,306 were recovered from his possession. The army and police were jointly interrogating him to know about his motive or if he had crossed over wrongly.
According to army sources, Ali, who hails from Quetta, told his interrogators that he was frustrated with the shoddy treatment in his battalion so he left it. He also said that he was under immense pressure from his seniors.
While the Jammu and Kashmir Police was verifying Ali’s statements, Pakistan has requested his repatriation. Sources said hotline channel was active between military border posts of India and Pakistan and there were chances that the soldier might be sent back after questioning.
