SIALKOT: The family of a man allegedly shot at, injured and taken into custody on Saturday by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to make all-out efforts to get him back and ensure his treatment there in a hospital on humanitarian grounds.

Muhammad Farooq, 28, of Bholiyan Kothey village in Zafarwal, 76 kilometres from the city, was said to be mentally challenged. On Saturday, he reached near the Zero Point of India-Pakistan border at Zafarwal sector along the Working Boundary when the BSF shot at and injured him and allegedly took him into custody by declaring him a terrorist, his family claimed.

They further said that they were informed of the incident by local officials of Chenab Rangers. Farooq was mentally challenged and received treatment for the last several years at various hospitals, they added.

The family claimed that Farooq did not cross into Indian territory, but only reached near the Zero Point when the BSF took him to their side in Samba district of India-held Kashmir. The Indian media also aired the BSF claim of capturing a “terrorist” as well as footage of an injured youth being shifted to hospital.

Farooq’s cousin Shahid said the man was innocent and that he could never be a terrorist. Farooq’s mother Hafeezan Bibi said the Chenab Rangers were in touch with the family. She urged the government to make urgent efforts to bring back her son.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2019