Hindu Pakistani couple elopes, crosses into Kutch on foot; detained by BSF

A Hindu Pakistani couple, facing opposition from their families to their marriage, eloped from their homes and made an arduous journey on foot to the India-Pakistan border in Gujarat's Kutch district, only to be detained by the security forces.

According to the police, personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF) detained the Pakistani man and his girlfriend, identified as Popat (24) and Gauri (20), after they crossed the international border on Monday.

Popat and Gauri had fled their homes at Mithi village in Pakistan, 8 km from the international border, on Sunday night, and covered the distance on foot, an official from the Balasar police station said.

BSF personnel patrolling near pillar number 1016 detained the duo, he said.

During questioning, the couple revealed that they had eloped as their families were against their marriage, the official said.

He said the duo will be taken to a joint interrogation centre in Bhuj for further investigation by the central agencies, after which a first information report will be registered.

According to the police, this is the second such incident in two months. Earlier, two people were similarly detained at the border on October 8.