Indian BSF soldier says he had 'comfortable' stay in Pakistan
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An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier who was arrested after crossing the working border into Pakistani territory in Sialkot's Bajwat sector spoke to media personnel before his release, stating that he was courteously dealt with by Pakistani soldiers.
Pakistani authorities handed over the soldier to India on Friday evening.
According to a report published earlier on India’s NDTV website, the soldier said that he was glad to be returning to his home in India.
"They made me comfortable. I was given food. I have no complaints. I am very happy I am going home," BSF soldier Satyasheel Yadav said. He added that, "They kept me better than I had thought they would."
Yadav explained how the boat he was travelling in capsized in the River Chenab and he was swept into Pakistan two days ago.
"The Pakistani post was close by. I jumped out of the boat with a life jacket on and tried to swim, but couldn't. The Pakistani Rangers took me out, asked me who I was. I told them my name and that I am from the 33 battalion," he said.
The Pakistani army took him into their custody and gave him refuge in the army’s Markilla camp where an investigation was conducted.
According to the sources, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) interrogated the soldier regarding border security issues.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (115) Closed
Aug 08, 2014 02:51pm
Good common sense.
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Aug 08, 2014 02:57pm
That's Pakistani hospitality! i wonder how India would've treated our solider?!
Good to see the maturity displayed.
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Aug 08, 2014 02:59pm
Thank you Pakistan! We owe you one.
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Aug 08, 2014 03:02pm
Such incidences will surely go a long way in building positive confidence building measures. Alternative is MAD - Mutually Assured Destruction!
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Aug 08, 2014 03:02pm
This is indeed very positive and a good news. We should all welcome it and hope that it would get better by each passing day!
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Aug 08, 2014 03:08pm
Thanks Pak!
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Aug 08, 2014 03:10pm
@Aakahvaani Thank you for being gracious - we were once a one country - I wish we can be like EU. I do not want my life to be consumed by hate and fear. I love peace, health and prosperity for myself and my generations.
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Aug 08, 2014 03:17pm
@Freedom
last time they arrested our young soldier who lost his way into Indian Kashmir and then they shot him because the Indian election fever was high
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Aug 08, 2014 03:17pm
well done Pakistan Army - always the best.
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Aug 08, 2014 03:19pm
Really it is well come step by Pakistan, this is what we can say confidence building majors on the ground level.
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Aug 08, 2014 03:25pm
Well done, that is a good step, hearts are won by love not by war. I hope the good will and peace persist for ever.
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Aug 08, 2014 03:27pm
@Asif Naeem Bhatti Where is the 'best' comes from?
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Aug 08, 2014 03:28pm
good feeling is.... that our side treated him well and in return of this news after reading comments from Indians i felt more happy. its natural . and the natural feeling is what it matters.
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Aug 08, 2014 03:32pm
One day I hope I hope no one mistakenly crossing the India-Pakistan border will be surprised at being treated well and promptly set free. That day will bring us closer to the distant day when no one will need to maintain militaries (like Costa Rica, which has done better than its neighbors despite having abolished the military in 1949).
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Aug 08, 2014 03:33pm
We are proud of our mature Army. Well done!
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Aug 08, 2014 03:39pm
A good precedent introduced by the Pakistan Army as this never used to happen earlier. Similarly, in October 2011 a Cheetah Helicopter of the Indian Army Aviation landed on Pakistani side of the line of control by mistake. However, Pakistan decided to send the crew and the helicopter back. The helicopter was refuelled and allowed back to fly to India.
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Aug 08, 2014 03:43pm
This is not the first time Pakistan returning Indian soldiers. Few years back Pakistan also returned Indian helicopter along with pilots came into Pakistan accidently. Now Indians have to think about we hear news of cross border firing and both blame each other but no one can verify who started with this incident. Pakistan may not be always be the first break or voilate the sieze fire too as most Indians think.
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Aug 08, 2014 03:47pm
@Aakahvaani You do not owe anything to Pakistan. This is common courtesy, after all necessary formalities are completed by Pakistan Army. What India and Pakistan owe each other is peace, tranquility and cross border good relations.
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Aug 08, 2014 03:47pm
Mutual respect will go a long way
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Aug 08, 2014 03:47pm
The poor and uneducated fishermen mistakenly cross their territory at night . but they are punished and jailed .why this special hospitality with this Indian soldier ?
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Aug 08, 2014 04:09pm
I was anxious to see how the story goes since the moment I read about Yadav's capture in Pakistan. The episode has been handled in a matured way. Way to go !!
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Aug 08, 2014 04:15pm
@khanman you said it buddy
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Aug 08, 2014 04:15pm
@Ahmed InshanAllah
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Aug 08, 2014 04:30pm
Thank you gentlemen.
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Aug 08, 2014 04:35pm
@Aurang Do not be so rabid...what is wrong in a Pakistani national being proud of Pakistani Army. Should not be so difficult for you to remain graceful in light of how the neighbours have behaved with an Indian citizen in distress?
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Aug 08, 2014 04:39pm
incidence like this can happen by pakistani national,, so better show some good justure by pakistani army is welcomed.
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Aug 08, 2014 04:41pm
We thanks and welcome this good move by Pakistani rangers
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Aug 08, 2014 04:43pm
Wel come sign from Pakistan, This kind of good gesture will definitely help Pakistan and India, Soldiers crossing borders by accident is common on borders and returning them after formal investigation is acceptable
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Aug 08, 2014 04:44pm
@Zafar Iqbal
Rather, why not the same hospitality to the poor fishermen. let's expand our goodness to accomodate more
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Aug 08, 2014 04:49pm
That's what you expect from a professional Unit. Well done!!!
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Aug 08, 2014 05:03pm
I have just read (1730 IST) in an Indian newspaper on line that the Indian soldier has been returned to India. He says he was well treated in Pakistan. We have all the reason in the world to be grateful and happy at this end of the story. V. C. Bhutani, Delhi, 8 Aug 2014, 1733 IST
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Aug 08, 2014 05:08pm
Thank You Pakistan! A mature step. Peace!
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Aug 08, 2014 05:14pm
It is a normal Muslim behavior. Revenge and unjustified bloodshed has no place in Islam. We are followers of the prophet who forgave those who had mutilated the body of his dearest uncle after killing. Through out his life, Prophet(SAW) taught and displayed mercy and forgiveness.Unfortunately we as Muslims have failed to follow the great example of our Prophet(SAW).
My request to Pakistani readers is not to react negatively to any bad comments, from across the border. Not to appease any one, but because we are taught to do so. Do appreciate the good ones, however
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Aug 08, 2014 05:16pm
Mutual respect and care is very important for India and Pak,,, Its fact that bad relation is not in the interest of any one of them. But no body think in this direction that which 3rd country has advantage of bad relation b/w India and Pak. When we understand this and recognize 3rd party, we will have brotherly relations and we could focus on welfare of our citizens..
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Aug 08, 2014 05:50pm
Thank you Pakistan, for this kindness....
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Aug 08, 2014 05:55pm
Thank you Rangers!
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Aug 08, 2014 06:00pm
Thanks Pakistan. A great humanitarian step from your side. You really deserve hats off from us. Hope that the relationship between two countries will smoothen in the upcoming years.
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Aug 08, 2014 06:07pm
We have close border and if some one cross the line by mistake, accidentally we should return it to the respected country. It is one of the good gesture to show..happy that Pakistan did it..
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Aug 08, 2014 06:08pm
@ally we have done in past we will do in the future....we should have common understanding on this.
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Aug 08, 2014 06:10pm
Had a Pakistani soldier crossed over, Indian media would have been all up in flames trying to beat each other with the most inflammatory remarks. Not in Pakistan. I must say, for all its faults, Pakistani media is much much better than Indian media in keeping emotions under check.
Also Pakistani army was magnanimous as usual; hopefully, Indian citizens will learn better about our Excellent Army now.
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Aug 08, 2014 06:10pm
@Aakahvaani
Not one. this should be long lasting from both sides :)
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Aug 08, 2014 06:13pm
Thank you pakistan. . I feel most of ppl on both side want peace love and fraternity.. others will always point towards wrongdoing of opposite side and then commit the same..
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Aug 08, 2014 06:13pm
Thank you, Pakistan!
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Aug 08, 2014 06:17pm
thank you Pakistan.
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Aug 08, 2014 06:37pm
thank you pakistan
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Aug 08, 2014 06:40pm
What did he expect? Zeba Bakhtiar waiting for him on the Pakistani side?
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Aug 08, 2014 06:48pm
That is a good gesture shown by a mature Army. One must see the Pakistani film drama, Ramchand Pakistani directed by Mehreen Jabbar. The film is based on a true story of a boy who inadvertently crosses the border between Pakistan and India who is kept in an Indian prison for few years and shows the ordeal that he and his family has to go through.
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Aug 08, 2014 07:06pm
Well done Pak army for showing humanity , maturity and sanity.
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Aug 08, 2014 07:11pm
@Freedom Indian are really sorry, couple of year back 10 pius muslim guys lost direction and went to Mumbai by mistake. Instead of taking care, the way Pakistan took care of BSF jawan, Indians killed them in street.Shame on India.
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Aug 08, 2014 07:22pm
@Mustafa Alvi your comment makes sense except the word "the most". Problem lies when you start comparing using words like better, 'the most' etc.
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Aug 08, 2014 07:22pm
Let Humanity prevail over religion,caste,class and nation always. We all love peace and yet we divide over mistakes made by stupid people from both ends and the war continues. Thanks to all those who look beyond the divide and set such an example. Shukriya Pakistan, India loves you!
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Aug 08, 2014 07:23pm
Thank you for upholding the human values, it is a rarity these days.
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Aug 08, 2014 07:25pm
Good job Pak army.
Although the treatment would have been different if one of Pakistani soldier was caught instead.
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Aug 08, 2014 07:25pm
Pakistan is a regional power in south Asia.This gesture shows that Pakistan is not afraid of any country in south Asia,
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Aug 08, 2014 07:42pm
@Aakahvaani unfortunately all rivers flow from India to Pakistan. so you can owe one on account of - swept in river flow :-)
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Aug 08, 2014 07:44pm
@Irfan baloch Last time a pakistani soldier strayed into India by mistake was handed back with "a watch, five kg of sweets and dry fruits, a hand-stitched carpet and a Quran stand."
Source: http://defence.pk/threads/pak-troops-thank-indian-army-for-repatriating-soldier.44250/#ixzz39oOpDUU9
http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/jan/13/pak-army-thanks-india-for-repatriating-soldier.htm
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Aug 08, 2014 07:44pm
let all readers try to b positive. this is a rare moment of positive messages from both sides of border .one day may come in near future people may move across as it used to b thousands of years.we should try to spread good ,messages from either sides.now europe settled to peace.let us hope that kind of peace in our life time.
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Aug 08, 2014 07:45pm
@Haider Rehman This gesture is also a testimony of ISI now gives wieghtage to 'public opinion' in Pak . +ve sign
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Aug 08, 2014 07:47pm
Common Sense, human decency, respect for human life and dignity, and basic courtesy transcends all national and religious boundaries.
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Aug 08, 2014 07:47pm
Glad to see neighbor country treating soldier well. Very happy to read that our army congratulated Pakistan openly.
I hope in future, animosity goes down and both neighbors live peacefully.
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Aug 08, 2014 07:56pm
Thank you Pakistan.
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Aug 08, 2014 08:08pm
Good gesture
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Aug 08, 2014 08:18pm
Good to see the humanity thriving. Good show Pakistan. You will not be let down for this good deed.
Thank you.
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Aug 08, 2014 08:23pm
An apt and matured handling of a sensitive issue by the Pak military is appreciated by India. Hope the same type of wisdom is also shown at the LoC to improve ties between the two neighbours.
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Aug 08, 2014 08:23pm
Thanks Pakistani army for helping Indian BSF Jawan!!!. I believe these steps from both sides will help to establish better relations.
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Aug 08, 2014 08:46pm
Beautiful! As much as I feel happy about this, a part of me says that Pakistani Army scored a PR win with this coming on the heels of new Indian Army chief's salvo on mutilation of captured soldiers in the past.
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Aug 08, 2014 08:59pm
Pakistan Army Zindabad ! Pakistan Paindabaad ! May Allah Subhanwatala Bless all Human Being who pursue nothing but Peace under any circumstances. Well Done My Beloved Army WELL DONE :-)
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Aug 08, 2014 09:14pm
Good to see the bureaucracies and leadership of both countries are growing up a little instead of acting like petulant kids. I think pressure needs to be put on them from people to people contact and media.
We can only dream of peace in that region. Other problems can be solved together.
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Aug 08, 2014 09:17pm
I wish happy release to the BSF jawan. Hopefully he will not change his statement of being treated good in Pakistan. Couple of years back the old spy who before his release was full of praise for Pakistan authority & about the good treatment he got in Pakistan, on reaching India he changed his statements altogether.
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Aug 08, 2014 09:40pm
Thanks pak n good gesture
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Aug 08, 2014 09:47pm
Good, welcome step and sign of Modis good governance.
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Aug 08, 2014 09:50pm
Heartfelt thanks to Pakistan :-) But, I must admit, I didn't expect this at all..
England and France fought for hundred of years, and now they are allies. I hope one day we become close allies as well. However, there are some idiots on both sides of the border who wouldn't want peace who should be silenced.
I wish your country prosperity and progress in the future. And, regarding incidents of scuffle among political parties, I want to say please do not despair. Democracy is still in its infancy here. This is normal until democracy (people's intellect) matures and they see through a crafty politician's empty rhetoric. After all, the oldest democracy in the world elected George Bush twice :P
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Aug 08, 2014 10:08pm
We could be best of friends. We could be worst of enemies. Choice is ours.
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Aug 08, 2014 10:19pm
Modi effect!!!
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Aug 08, 2014 11:04pm
Life is a precious gift. It needs to be protected, defended and promoted.
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Aug 08, 2014 11:09pm
Why is it that Indian soldiers often find themselves captured by Pak forces..I mean really !
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Aug 08, 2014 11:22pm
Thank you, Pakistan !
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Aug 08, 2014 11:23pm
Thank you Pakistan! We should immediately return the favor. We should review Pakistani prisoners in our jails and immediately release all of those who have crossed accidentally to India side. Also, we should create a protocol that felicitates such exchanges quickly and without any hassles. Let's resolve our simple issues in simple fashion. Let's keep the bullets only for salutes.
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Aug 08, 2014 11:49pm
It would be a great day in the history of India and Pakistan when both countries join hands together to eliminate all terrorists Camps
That would be the day of true victory of cross border relations ...
Instead of fighting over Kashmir .. why can't it be a common territory which gets the best of both countries .. that part has suffered in terms of economic backwardness
since both sides are not willing to budge from their claim .. why not that part be benefited by both countries .. let they get financial and other help from India as well as Pakistan ..
if that ways the thorn of Kashmir issue be removed .. the relationship will drastically improved and the end beneficiary would be the people on both the sides
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Aug 08, 2014 11:53pm
Its heart warming to see this rare moment of people from both sides mostly sharing positive and warm comments ...
some people on both sides would not like this ... but peace and confidence building measures must keep taking place and both nations must proceed further in their war against terrorism .. we in India have suffered and we also know Pakistan has also bore the brunt of homegrown rouge elements
Time to join hands and finish off these bad elements once and for all ..
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Aug 09, 2014 12:21am
PA MAKHA DE KHA but please be careful in future if you are allowed to continue service in the BSF which seems to be a remote possibility.
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Aug 09, 2014 01:09am
Thanks a lot Pakistan. Also Media on both side should highlight such positive news a lot, so that even people like me who hear this, will be able to leave the hatred (infilled in us by textbooks, media, movie, history etc)
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Aug 09, 2014 01:14am
Glad to know he was treated right! :) It's time we use common sense and live in harmony cos outsiders have already done a lot of damage amongst us by using their famous "divide n rule" policies..
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Aug 09, 2014 02:32am
Friendship is better than animosity.
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Aug 09, 2014 02:58am
It is great that Pakistani done a great deed. We hope Indians will do reciprocal act and stop capturing poor villagers from AJK.
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Aug 09, 2014 03:32am
Pakistan did what it was supposed to do and these type of acts go a long way. The Indian soldier was not just a soldier by profession, he was a son and most likely a brother, a father and/or a husband. We always forget the human side of soldiers who belong to the army of other countries that we consider a unfriendly.
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Aug 09, 2014 03:51am
A very kind gesture by Pakistan. Hope we can deal with issues with kindness, understanding and mutual love and respect. This has touched many a hearts. I wish to see a day where indians and Pakistanis can travel between borders simply by showing government issued ID such as a driving license.
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Aug 09, 2014 04:21am
@Aakahvaani I don't think anyone owes anyone anything. Why don't they all grow up and get on with a normal life. No killings, no blaming each other etc. Enough have died over the years,
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Aug 09, 2014 04:22am
@Ifti
The kind of upbringing, education and muturity ... I hope we have more in our nation ! Well said !!
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Aug 09, 2014 05:34am
I hope he doesn't change his statement once home.
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Aug 09, 2014 06:25am
@Peace Loving Indian
I believe that is what General Parvez Musharraf tried to do when He visited India for talk with your great leader, Mr. Bajpai ( whom I admire). I thought that the deal was happening and all of a sudden, Mr. Musharraf returned to Pakistan with no deal, because some Indian Hawkish leaders did not want that to happen.
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Aug 09, 2014 10:34am
@Peace Loving Indian it means Kashmiristan
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Aug 09, 2014 10:42am
@Aakahvaani
Have a heart. Change your attitude, not one. Will you not do it on merit for any number. Good attitude is not reciprocal.
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Aug 09, 2014 10:57am
@Rick surely you don't talk about Khasab and his mates?
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Aug 09, 2014 11:24am
@GA No, Zeba is old enough to be his mother/grandmother!
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Aug 09, 2014 10:45pm
Lets welcome few more thousands Pakistanis to India for medical care and treatments. A lot of them need economic health care facilities. And look at the comments....its true that - "love conquers everything."
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Aug 10, 2014 02:12am
@Aurang we were never "one country"
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Aug 10, 2014 06:08am
Thanks a lot pakistan army for returning the soldier back to india
I am surprised how come a jawan couldnt swim. I am sure every chinese soldier knows how to swim
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Aug 10, 2014 06:09am
@Syed zafar Kazmi
Totallu agree with you
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Aug 10, 2014 06:12am
@Rick
Brother... cmon muslims in india are very safe. Few incidents happen when you are at the wrong place at the wrong time. It happens in any place.
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Aug 10, 2014 07:21am
Good relations can come only iff hate mongers shops are shut on both sides.Hafiz Saeed and shut his mouth and concentrate on humanterian missions and shiv sena should stop anti muslim hesteria.Then only we can live peacefully for ever. May be it is Just a dream but may be some dreams come true.
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Aug 10, 2014 07:44am
Great gesture. Indeed things are improving, it's new generation, new thinking.
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Aug 10, 2014 09:13am
@Aakahvaani , Very sorry that Pakistan got a Body Bag of a Poor Villager back from Indian BSF yeterday in response to returning a BSF personnell alive and very well treated to India....
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Aug 10, 2014 09:48am
The only parties who are not happy about this are the media and some crony politicians on both sides.
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Aug 10, 2014 10:45am
THIS IS ONE COLORFUL FEATHER IN PAKISTANI CAP.
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Aug 10, 2014 11:12am
@Sonny Afridi - There were no countries before the age of colonization and dawn of democracy. A civilization was the only grouping of people. So we were not one country but we were definitely one civilization.
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Aug 10, 2014 11:27am
@Aakahvaani ok make a deal give us Katrina kaif OR take Meera from us as return of favor
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Aug 10, 2014 12:35pm
Very Good Gesture By Our Pakistani Friend. Need to Keep Moving.
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Aug 10, 2014 02:00pm
Well the India media is writing that such statement were shared by the soldier with Pak media before retiring to India. Now, Dawn quotes NDTV for the same statement. As a matter of fact, the statement was made while the soldier was in Pakistan and he did not have much choice. What you expect him to say while he is detained by Pak forces? After handover, the soldier was taken up by the Army and was not allowed any access to the Indian media. He will get court-martialled for sure. Anyways, its a shame on part of we two nations how we act like mad dogs. I mean if I fall into a river and get on the other side, I just might stay in a jail all my life!! or if I am walking around a "border", I might get shot? We are two insane nations. The only bigger insane is our media.
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Aug 10, 2014 03:05pm
@Ayoub Alam he have not changed his statement. :)
He saidhe was treated well. Thanks Pakistany army.
Indian
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Aug 10, 2014 03:36pm
Thanks a lot dear gentlemen... Still cant forget what happened in Mumbai in 1993 and 2008. It would be great if Pak can follow the Bangladesh model where they chased out some terrorists of the ULFA and BODO from their land. Would be great if you ensure there are nobody plans killing innocent lives. Though this might be debatable, there are more than ample proofs... If this can be sorted out, all problems including kashmir would come to a close...
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Aug 10, 2014 03:37pm
Contrary to popular belief even Pakistani army is capable of showing common sense, advanced thinking ( which is unusual ) and leaving the door ajar for further negotiations, knowing full well one can change one's shirt at will not one's neighbors.
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Aug 10, 2014 04:33pm
Thanks neighbors for the first good gesture from your side of the border ! The two countries should totally aim at peace prosperity and progress instead of suppressing ourselves in cultural, geographical hared ! So hope there is some consistency in this bilateral good gestures !
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Aug 11, 2014 03:01pm
@Freedom
i dont know if you are taught in history, after the end of the 1971 war, 90,000 (Ninety thousand)Pakistani POW were released by India.
Thanks for pakistani hospitality. :-)
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Aug 11, 2014 09:27pm
@sunny
Pakistan is a regional power in south Asia >>> really ? Thanks for increasing my knowledge ..
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