M A I N   N E W S

Pak soldier crosses LoC, held
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria & Darshan Bharti
Tribune News Service

Jammu/Poonch, July 12
The Army on Thursday apprehended a Pakistani soldier after he crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. Identified as Aarif Ali (19), the soldier was nabbed from forward Kerni post in the Poonch sector close to the LoC around 6.30 am.

Ali claimed that he belongs to the Charlie Company of 25 Frontier Force of the Pakistani Army and was posted at Saifullah-2 post along the LoC. The Frontier Force Regiment of the Pakistan Army guards the LoC opposite the Poonch sector.

“He said poor amenities on other side of the LoC forced him to cross over to this side. We are interrogating him,” said officials.

A civilian identity card, two SIM cards of Pakistani cellular companies and cash of Rs 13,300 have been recovered from the soldier, they said. Ali is son of one Bashir Ahmed and is a resident of Quetta in Pakistan. “No weapons have been found in his possession. But he carried a leave certificate issued by the Frontier Force,” officials added.

Sources said Ali sought asylum soon after crossing over to this side. The Defence Ministry has confirmed that Ali is a regular Pakistani Army soldier. He was recruited in Pakistani Army in 2010.

Trooper seeks asylum

• Identified as Aarif Ali (19), the soldier was nabbed from forward Kerni post in the Poonch sector close to the LoC around 6.30 am on Thursday
• Ali claimed that he belongs to the Charlie Company of 25 Frontier Force of the Pakistani Army. He has sought asylum in India, saying that amenities in the PoK were very poor
• A civilian identity card, two SIM cards of Pakistani cellular companies and cash of Rs 13,300 have been recovered from him. The Army is questioning the soldier