SIALKOT: Pakistan handed over on Friday an Indian Border Security Force soldier, who had mistakenly entered Pakistani territory, to BSF officials as a goodwill gesture.

Satyasheel Yadav crossed the Sialkot Working Boundary on Wednesday after a BSF patrol boat capsized in Chenab River.

A special ceremony to mark the handover was held by the Chenab Rangers along the working boundary and near the Bajwat-Sialkot Sector.

At the ceremony, Col Waqar, who was representing Pakistan, and Battalion Commander Vareish Singh, who was leading the Indian delegation, signed a document about Mr Yadav’s handover.

Chenab Rangers also handed over a boat to Indian officials.

The Chenab Rangers had detained the Indian soldier for illegally entering Pakis­tan through a village along the working boundary. Accor­ding to Indian officials, Mr Yadav had been swept to the Pakistani side of the border after the BSF boat had capsized in Chenab River.

Published in Dawn, Aug 9th, 2014