The Border Security Force (BSF) constable who was captured by Pakistani Rangers in the early hours of Wednesday after he was swept away by the strong currents of Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir, would be handed over to Indian agencies on Friday.
The hand-over of Satyasheel Yadav (30), who is posted with the BSF’s water wing, would take place at a sector commander-level meet on Friday afternoon. The decision was taken at a meeting between the representatives of the two forces in the Nikowal border post area of Sunderbani sector in Jammu.
The jawan was on patrol with three other BSF personnel in the Paragwal-Khour sub-sector along the Line of Control when their boat developed a snag. He fell into the river and was swept away to the Pakistani side. He was subsequently apprehended by Pakistani forces.
After an alert was sounded, senior BSF officers immediately took up the issue with Pakistan Rangers. The External Affairs Ministry also raised the issue “diplomatically both in India and Islamabad” for expeditious release of the BSF constable.
According to official sources, the Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner was called to South Block where Joint Secretary Rudrendra Tandon conveyed the Indian request. A similar request was also made by Indian Mission officials in Islamabad.
