KHAR: A soldier of the Afghan National Army, who had been under treatment in a Bajaur hospital for the last one week, was handed over to his colleagues on the Pak-Afghan border here on Sunday.

Officials said that the solider was shifted to agency headquarters hospital, Khar, after he complained of appendix pain during duty in the border area.

Read: Indian BSF soldier says he had 'comfortable' stay in Pakistan

The officials said that the Afghan trooper was successfully operated upon, adding that an escort of security forces took the soldier to the Ghakhi pass at the border where he was handed over to his colleagues during a ceremony on Sunday evening.

The ceremony was attended by elders of Mamond tribe and officials of Pakistan and Afghan armies.

On the occasion, the Afghan soldier thanked the Pakistani security forces for taking care of him and for their hospitality. “I will never forget the care, kindness and friendship the Pakistani security forces extended to me during my stay in Bajaur,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2014