‘Goodwill’: Pak releases soldier

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 21

Pakistan today released an Indian soldier, Chandu Babulal Chavan, who had inadvertently crossed the border in September last year after surgical strikes on terror bases across the Line of Control.

Chavan (22) returned through the land transit route of Attari-Wagah border. The BSF handed him over to the Army, which took him to an undisclosed location.

A statement released by the Pakistan foreign office today said the decision to return the Indian soldier was based on “humanitarian grounds and the commitment to ensure peace and tranquility at the LoC and the working boundary”.

Posted with 37 Rashtriya Rifles, Chavan had deserted his post at the LoC due to his alleged grievances of maltreatment against his commanders, the Pakistan statement said. 

Hailing from Borvihir village in Dhule district of Maharashtra, he had mistakenly crossed the border hours after India conducted the surgical strikes following a terror attack on an Army camp in Uri. 

India had been following up on the case with Pakistan and on January 12, Union Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said Pakistan had assured of releasing Chavan post-inquiry. His grandmother suffered a cardiac arrest and died after the family was informed that he had been captured by the Pakistan army. 

Chavan’s brother Bhushan Chavan, also a soldier, said he was thankful to the Army for its effort. “I am thankful to DGMO and Army for the efforts. I am never going to forget this. I am also a soldier and will continue to do my duty with full honesty,” he said.

He said since his brother had been freed, their grandmother’s ashes would be immersed.