India repatriates Pakistani national as goodwill gesture

A day after a Pakistani national was arrested for intruding along the international border (IB) into Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday handed him over to Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.

Speaking to reporters, a BSF spokesperson said that for maintaining peace and tranquility at the IB, the Pakistani national was returned to Pakistani Rangers at around 3.40 pm. The Pakistani national had entered in Ramgarh area of the district. 

The 60-year-old Pakistani national has been identified as Mohammad Ashraf. A resident of Boitah-Narowal area of Punjab, Ashraf was carrying Rs 12,000 in Pakistani currency, according to PTI sources.

The intruder has been returned in a healthy and sound condition. Pakistani Rangers have also appreciated the humane approach of the BSF, added the PRO.

"As a goodwill gesture and maintaining peace and tranquility at International Border, today at about 1540 hrs, Border Security Force handed over Pakistani national to Pakistani Rangers, who was apprehended yesterday (Friday) while he crossed the International Border in Ramgarh area of Samba district. BSF release the Pak National healthy and sound. Pak Rangers were also appreciating humane approach of Border Security Force," said PRO BSF.

The intruder was apprehended by BSF troops in Ramgarh sector. The alert BSF personnel noticed the person and caught him soon after he sneaked into the Indian side from Pakistan. He was arrested and interrogated.