Pakistan Rangers Release Captive BSF Constable Who Accidentally Crossed Border

The incident happened when a team of eight BSF jawans were conducting a search operation near Abohar border.

New Delhi: A BSF constable caught by Pakistan Rangers after he accidentally crossed the border was released on Thursday. The incident happened when a team of eight BSF jawans were conducting a search operation near BSF post GG Base in Abohar sector in Punjab's Fazilka district along the LoC.

"The jawan crossed over to the other side inadvertently due to dense fog and resulting extremely poor visibility around 6.30 am," a BSF  spokesperson told PTI.

The constable was released following a flag meeting between senior officials of BSF and Pakistan Rangers. During the meeting, BSF said the soldier had inadvertently crossed the border and landed up in Pakistani territory.

"He was safely handed over to the BSF during a flag meeting with Pakistan Rangers at 1.50 pm," the spokesperson said.

Recently, a Pakistani national, who had illegally entered India, was repatriated through the Attari-Wagah border after he completed his 10-year jail term on Tuesday, news agency ANI reported.

According to the report, Kala Massi, who hails from Pakistan's Narowal region, was released from prison after the completion of his jail sentence, Protocol Officer Arunpal Singh told ANI.

It is to be noted that Massi had entered India through the Ramdass area in the year 2011, without a passport and visa, the official said.

Massi was caught in Majitha (Punjab) with a pistol and cartridge. A court had sentenced him to 10 years in prison and fined him ₹ 2,10,000, as per Singh. 

"Kala Massi is being sent to Pakistan. No currency was recovered from him," the officer said.

Kala Massi told ANI that he was involved in smuggling and was sent to India by a man named Faisal Sheikh, who had accompanied him to India a few times in the past.

Massi said that he will be returning to Pakistan after 12 years.

Earlier in July, India repatriated four Pakistani prisoners who had completed their imprisonment here, via the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar, as per the report.

Singh said that the four Pakistani prisoners had illegally entered India through different regions. They were released after completing their jail term.