“We have decided to free the Indian soldier. We have completed his interrogation. He will be handed over to the BSF tomorrow in the presence of the media after a flag meeting with BSF in Sialkot on Friday morning,” a senior Rangers official in Lahore said.
The soldier was captured on Pakistani soil by Chenab Rangers on Wednesday and moved to an undisclosed location for interrogation. Indian officials maintain he was swept away by a strong current of the Chenab river when he was out on patrol with three other soldiers.
When a rescue boat was sent out to get the soldiers, Satyasheel Yadav was swept away by the current and separated from the others.
A company commander level flag meeting was held at 2:45pm on Thursday between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers during which the Rangers said the BSF troop, Yadav, 30, would be returned on Friday “after some formalities will be done by the Rangers,” BSF sources said. The meeting was held in the Nikowal border post area in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sunderbani sector.
Yadav, according to Indian officials, had reportedly been questioned by Pakistani intelligence, and remains in good condition.
All efforts were being made to “secure” the Indian soldier, BSF director general DK Pathak said.
Further, he said that Yadav had not been part of the “action” the border guarding force had been conducting on Wednesday, and had “accidentally” reached the Pakistan territory.
COMMENTS (29)
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@Sunil: Keep living in your dream world to undo Pakistan, and you yourself will be undone. Do you believe Afghans, Iranians, Turks, and Arabs will allow a Muslim country to be occupied by an anti-Muslim power like India? You forget 1947 war in which Muslims throughout the world fought on Pakistan's side, 1980s war against Soviets, etc.
How has Kashmir turned out for you? Neither Kashmiris, Pakistanis, nor the global Muslim world has accepted Indian occupation of Muslim Kashmir.
Don't forget, China is more than willing for any excuse to put India backwards several decades. You can try to invade Pakistan again, but it hasn't worked out for you 3 times, what makes you think it will work out now? Pakistan is still here.
Thank you to the people of Pakistan and their professional armed forces.
This is a very noble gesture and matured decision by the Pakistani Military! Hope the terms between the two nations improve and we both walk towards the path of mutual prosperity, harmony and peace.
This is a very noble gesture and matured decision by the Pakistani Military! Hope the terms between the two nations improve and we both walk towards the path of mutual prosperity, harmony and peace.
@Sunil: You know why Pak patients go there? Because India is affordable and Pakistan is not. There may be some free/no-charge cases, I don't know. But Pak hospitals are jammed. Above all... Indian doctors have worked on a bigger variety of patients & diseases due to the size of population. I know a couple who just went to India because the procedure they were waiting for was easily available & affordable. Here is a market India should consider "capturing" in Pakistan, "The healthcare".
It is the new India under Modi. British has just left India on 18th May, 2014, according to Guardian from London.
@Hilarious: Whatever, it’s good that this issue did not get protracted. I would also like to mention here that there are scores of Pakistanis who get treated for various ailments and disabilities at extremely subsidised prices in India, because it’s beyond Pakistan to treat them. At the hospital in which my FIL works, I have myself seen children from Pakistan being treated gratis – and their parents being looked after too. It’s true that there are good people on both sides – if nothing else, let’s not wish evil on each other.
We should not be treating Pakistani's in India. Since they claim their country is so good they should look after their own. I don't care if they die or not.
@ALL.!NDIAN.fRNDS: Trust me, we don’t hate you. We hate who separate Pakistan, who make violence in Balochistan, who want to disbalance Pakistan. thanks
Well like Raymond Davis he would also be given VIP protocol however when he will reach India the Indian media will come up with horrifying stories of how the soldier was treated (tortured), we mustn't expect goodwill from Indians
I am very greatful to the Pakistan nation for this gesture.It shows people in Pakistan want peace and are ready for it
It appears no one above has heard of the Geneva Conventions.
Doesn't matter what good there is because ultimately we are enemies and we will always be and one of us has to go. Pakistan will disappear in time.
@Professor: We do hate as well, the maniacs you have mentioned
It ok buddy, we believe you! Pak soldiers never cut your head. Don't believe your hyperactive alarmist media. Take care!
Good to see sense prevailed in this situation.
@All
Quite a change from yesterday's abhorrent comments from your side. Now you are asking us to thank you! Ok, thanks. I suppose we should be grateful that he is being returned in one piece.
@AB - the helicopter incident occurred due to bad weather. Sure we're grateful you returned both helo and pilot in one piece. We know quite well what GPS is - it's that thingummy which is used in targeting missiles which we make and which you buy and call 'Made in Pakistan'!
I echo the words of Professor above. It's not like we hate all of Pakistan - only those who feel their purpose in life is to abuse India. Now that may include a lot of you guys who comment here...
Whatever, it's good that this issue did not get protracted. I would also like to mention here that there are scores of Pakistanis who get treated for various ailments and disabilities at extremely subsidised prices in India, because it's beyond Pakistan to treat them. At the hospital in which my FIL works, I have myself seen children from Pakistan being treated gratis - and their parents being looked after too. It's true that there are good people on both sides - if nothing else, let's not wish evil on each other.
Major difference in Pakistan's actions, rhetoric as compared to India. God is always on the side of the peacekeepers. God bless Pakistan. Proud of my country.
To Indian Friends! A stable Pakistan to your West will always be beneficial to you and your sovereignty.If you doubt it,ask history and you'll get it.
As an Indian, sincere thanks for this gesture and returning our soldier. Thank you Pakistan. --Indian
It reaffirms the fact that we have big hearts. Kudos to our generals who have taken yet another step in order to diffuse the tensions but unprovked firing from Indian side is yet a grave concerns and if it persists after numberous such goodwill gestures, then it would be apt to detain them and make them taste their own medicine. P.S One of our civilians tresspassed into and what we got was his corpse, bullet riddled body. Love, Pakistan
Well done. The amity and peace should prevail and these two countries should reciprocate goodwill for the betterment of the people, majority in poverty. Goodwill and peace would enable the Governments to focus on economic progress and prosperity rather than engage in bickerings.
It is time to move away from thought of "every indian is my enemy" or "every Pakistani is my enemy". Wars and hate don't do good to any one.
@AB: Trust me, we don't hate you. We hate Hafiz Saeed, Maulana Massood Azhar and Dawood Ibrahim.
Thankyou pakistan. Such a benevolent act make us believe that there are real good peace loving ppl in pak,who think far beyond the boundaries of religion.
To Indians: A year or so ago, an Indian Helicopter crossed over and was captured by Pak Army. Now this soldier. Well, no offence intended, but please consider investing in GPS for your army. I can assure you that a 10,000 rupees GPS will be more reliabile that all those MIG Jets that you have been buying and will save you quite a bit of embarrassment.
By the way, it will be nice to have good words for Pakistan since we returned that Helicopter, then returned a poor Indian child who walked into our territory after our troops gave her dress and candies etc, and now returning this soldier. You may hate us for whatever fabricated stories you get about us, but when you get a good gesture, appreciate as well. Thanks in advance!
whats the hurry ? it might be an infiltrated attempt by the Indians. India and their media would had called the same had it been the other way around.