LAHORE, Aug 30: A 19-year-old Indian, who had mistakenly crossed into Pakistan’s territory about four years ago, was handed over to the Indian authorities at Wagah check post on Saturday.

Ranjit Kumar, a resident of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, told reporters that he used to play truant for which his mother admonished him.

He said on June 17, 1999, following a dispute with his mother over the issue, he left his home and mistakenly crossed into Pakistan and was caught by a farmer. The farmer handed him over to the Rangers.

He said he remained in the Gujranwala jail for 13 months and then shifted to the Kot Lakhpat prison.

Ranjit claimed that the jail officials behaved with him gently. “The only regret I have is that I should not have quarrelled with my mother and made her angry,” he said.

He said he was happy to be with his family again. Kumar’s father, who was a soldier in the Indian army, had died long ago.

Ranger’s Col Sher Zaman and FIA’s Inspector Abuzar Sibtain handed the boy over to the Indian authorities.

The move is in response to Indian’s recent sending of a Pakistani boy home.