Pakistan likely to release BSF jawan swept away by Chenab today
NEW DELHI: Pakistan is likely to release the BSF soldier swept away by Chenab across the border on Friday afternoon. Pakistan Rangers on Thursday communicated to BSF that they would release the jawan, Satyasheel Yadav, on Friday after verification of his credentials and circumstances of entry into Pakistan is over.
Pakistan Rangers gave this assurance to BSF at a company commander-level meeting held in Jammu on Thursday. Sources said Yadav, who has not been physically harmed during interrogation by Pakistan intelligence agencies, would be handed over to BSF at 3pm after completion of formalities.
The development came even as India raised the issue diplomatically both here and in Islamabad. The foreign ministry summoned the Pakistan deputy high commissioner to South Block where joint secretary (PAI) Rudrendra Tandon conveyed India's request. "Similar request was also made by the Indian mission officials in Islamabad," said the MEA spokesperson.
Sources said it was an accident and the fact that Yadav was not a swimmer that led the BSF jawan to two days in Pak captivity. Yadav had drifted into Pakistan while patrolling in Chenab in the Paragwal-Khour sub-sector of general area Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir with three other colleagues.
About 400 metres away from the border, the engine of their boat failed. As a result, the boat started drifting with the current towards the border. A rescue boat was launched from the nearest outpost to get them. Two BSF soldiers immediately jumped into the water and swam to the rescue boat as it neared.
The other two, including an ASI and Yadav, hesitated as they couldn't swim well. A rope was thrown which the ASI caught and was pulled towards the boat. But by the time Yadav could be reached, the boat had drifted too close to the border. At this Yadav jumped into the water with a life jacket on but couldn't swim to the shore.
As the rescue boat did not want to risk drifting into Pakistan, it did not chase him, said sources.
"With the current he drifted across the border till about 500 metres where civilians on the shore caught him and handed him over to Pakistan Rangers," said a BSF official.
Pakistan likely to release BSF jawan swept away by Chenab today - The Times of India