MUZAFFARABAD, June 11 Indian forces violated the Line of Control four days ago and abducted a Neelum valley resident, an official said on Thursday.

Manzoor Ahmed was collecting firewood from the jungle along the Line of Control when he was picked up and taken across by Indian troops, deputy commissioner of Neelum district Attaullah Atta told Dawn.

Although the incident occurred four days ago near Tejiyan village, some 110 kilometres northeast of Muzaffarabad, the administration came to know about it only on Thursday because the remote area lacked telecommunication facilities, Mr Atta said.

“The Indian troops violated the LoC by intruding into our area,” he said, adding that the Pakistan army had been asked to call a flag meeting for the return of the abducted man.

Neelum valley straddles an unmarked dividing line which had seen regular skirmishes and artillery duels between Indian and Pakistan troops, causing mostly civilian casualties, until both sides struck a ceasefire in Nov 2003.

Residents often allege that Indian troops intrude into their area and kidnap people.

LOST WOMAN A woman from occupied Kashmir who had strayed into Neelum valley in March last year is still on this side as no one from the Indian-occupied region has made any effort for her return, an official said.

The official told Dawn that Maryam Bibi, a 29-year-old deranged woman, was shifted to Darul Aman in Muzaffarabad on Thursday.