AJK policeman who crossed LoC returns home

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

MUZAFFARABAD: A constable of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police who had strayed into India-held Kashmir about a month ago was repatriated by Indian officials on Saturday.

Kashif Baig, a resident of Amra Saawan village in district Hattian Bala, had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control towards the western side of Chakothi sector, some 60km south off here.

The constable who is said to be an unbalanced person had been incarcerated by the Indian authorities.

On Saturday, Indian authorities handed him over to Pakistani officials on this side of the LoC at Kaman Bridge. Army officials took him into custody for interrogation.

When asked why an insane person had been recruited, an AJK police officer said the question should be addressed to the high-ups of the police department.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2015

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Pakistan

Tariq Naqash is a Muzaffarabad-based senior staff correspondent for Dawn with nearly three decades of experience in reporting, analysis, and feature writing. His work focuses on politics, conflict, and governance. He can be found on X at @tariqnaqash.

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Hope

Jun 14, 2015 09:17am

May be he has issues but he can perform normal duties most of the time. Why did Indians detained him knowing he was imbalanced? then again they even accuse a pigeon to be a Pakistani spy :)

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AQ Can

Jun 14, 2015 09:18am

Not sure whether to laugh or cry? This is just beyond any explanation and ridiculously exposing our broken down bureaucracy. Someone on this side of the fence needs to explain how this clown was hired in the first place?!?!?!

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suman

Jun 14, 2015 09:35am

Well done Indian army. Keep up your spirit of humanity and utmost importance to the security of great India.

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Disgusting

Jun 14, 2015 09:35am

This gives you an idea about the current PPP govt in AJK. An unbalanced person is a constable in AJK Police. You can say this about its PM too.

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Ashok

Jun 14, 2015 09:58am

Good gesture by India. He could have easily spent his next 30 years in jail. Appreciate Dawn for publishing this. Likewise all people trapped in jails on either side should be released. Peace talks and proxy wars will go on. They have right to spend rest of their lives with their loved ones.

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Sandhu

Jun 14, 2015 10:19am

Pakistan too released many such people strayed from Indian side. A Indian soldier fell into river and crossed LOC and pak returned it with respect.

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Mustafa

Jun 14, 2015 10:25am

Indian side should be complemented for realizing the constable's unstable mental condition and his eventual return. How on earth he got this job. His higher ups must be fired at once.

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riaz khan

Jun 14, 2015 11:27am

What the officer said make sense "the question should be addressed to high ups"

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suresh

Jun 14, 2015 12:23pm

Very interesting, first time read that an insane person is appointed as Constable. Shows the caliber of the recruiting officer - perhaps he is also insane, so could understand him better.

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a shah

Jun 14, 2015 12:44pm

Thank you India

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IBN E ASHFAQUE

Jun 14, 2015 01:12pm

When asked why an insane person had been recruited, an AJK police officer said the question should be addressed to the high-ups of the police department. This statement tells you the situation of Police in Pakistan in general.

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iloveladoos

Jun 14, 2015 03:06pm

It is highly suspicious that an unbalanced individual will be recruited by any police force. Did he become mentally unbalanced during his service?

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Sunil

Jun 14, 2015 03:30pm

Insane person in police department ... strange.

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Amer

Jun 14, 2015 05:33pm

Perhaps he was plying to be insane evryone knows india is hostile towards Pakistan

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Sarfraz

Jun 14, 2015 05:38pm

I'm surprised how an insane person was recruited for a Government position; normally we have a tendency to elect them for five years term.

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nagoree

Jun 14, 2015 08:22pm

@Amer If India is hostile; then why even after constable's return back to Pakistan, an AJK police officer said the question on hiring an insane should be addressed to the high-ups of the police department.

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anil mumbai

Jun 14, 2015 08:54pm

What is the criteria to choose one candidate in Pakistan police departments either he must be mentally retarded

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Ammar Khan

Jun 14, 2015 09:08pm

@Ashok well said Ashok. We need to live in a peaceful and safe environment.

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Muhammad

Jun 14, 2015 09:19pm

@anil mumbai I believe India and Pakistan use same criteria for recruitment that is bribe and recommendations. Climb down a step on your ladder!

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Amit Lunia

Jun 14, 2015 09:28pm

Police Constables are also human being , they work for 12-15 hrs daily without break and excess pressure and no sympathy from the public, officers, deptt, colleagues and also their families This poor fellow must have lost his case somewhere in between , more often the deptt does not report such cases as it may lead to his losing the job and he might have had a family Finally a happy ending for this episode may he get well soon..!

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Rick_james

Jun 14, 2015 09:40pm

The main question is why the indians detained an imbalanced man? Do they not have any common sense? Shame on india.

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Sunny

Jun 15, 2015 12:13am

The question "why an insane person had been recruited" reminds me of an incident, few months back an Indian soldier was saved from drowning by locals from Pak side of LoC and returned back, he was on patrol in river when his boat capsized and his buddies swam to shore, strangely he couldn't swim but was put on patrolling water ways.

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