Pakistan army hands over BSF jawan to India, soldier in good health

Jammu/Islamabad: Pakistan today handed over to India a BSF jawan who was captured by Pakistan Rangers after he was swept away into their territory by strong currents of Chenab river.

The 30-year-old trooper Satyasheel Yadav was handed over to Border Security Force (BSF) officials by the commanders of the Pakistan Rangers at the zero line at Octroi border post along the International Border (IB) in RS Pura sector of Jammu district.

He is in good health, a senior BSF officer said, adding that he has been taken for debriefing.

“Yadav was handed over to us at 4.18 pm near border pillar 918 along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir. The trooper is well and he is being taken to our nearby border post where the BSF DG and other force commanders would meet him,” he said.

Yadav, who was dressed in his dark green combat fatigue, walked into the Indian soil flanked by his seniors.

BSF chief DK Pathak had flown in from Delhi especially for the handover event.

Earlier, Yadav told reporters in Pakistan that his boat accientally strayed into the neighbouring land after it went out of control in strong river currents.

“My colleagues swam out but I do not know swimming. The boat took me into Pakistani territory. I jumped into water near a Pakistan post and was rescued by jawans of Pakistan Rangers,” he said in his narration of the events leading to his capture.

Yadav, flanked by Rangers’ officials, said he was made “comfortable” by them.

“They took my introduction. They helped me to the extent they could. They kept me better than what I had thought. I have no complaints. I am happy,” he said.

PTI