Pak refuses to take back 18-year-old

Jammu, Dec 25 (UNI) The Pakistan government has refused to take back an 18-year-old, who inadvertently crossed into the Indian side and was arrested by the security forces.

The authorities in Islamabad are refusing to take back Sajid, a resident of Bandi Abbaspora in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), saying he has been charged with crossing the Line of Control (LoC) 'illegally'.

Five years ago, while walking home after playing a cricket match, he crossed the LoC and was taken into custody here.

''I lost my way and mistakenly crossed the cease-fire line where the indian troops arrested me.'' he said while talking to mediapersons.

The 18-year-old, who he is staying at a children's home in Poonch, has been in India since the age of 13. He has been in the jails of Poonch and Jammu. On the eve of Independence Day this year, he was released by the Indian authorities.

His return, as he was told, would be possible only when there would be an exchange of prisoners between the two countries. Bandi Abbaspora is only 3.5 km from the LoC, but to Sajid, it seems miles away.

''The life in the jail was much better where I got religious education and the scholars, in the jail, helped me learn and recite the holy Koran'' he said.

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