India summons Pakistani diplomat over capture of BSF jawan issue

New Delhi, Aug 7: India today summoned the Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner and sought immediate release of the BSF jawan who was captured by Pakistan army in their territory after being swept away by a strong current of the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir.

The issue was also raised by the Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad with the Pakistan Foreign Office, officials sources said here.

The Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner was called by Joint Secretary incharge of Pakistan division in External Affairs Ministry Rudrendra Tandon and told that Pakistani government should facilitate the return of the BSF jawan as soon as possible, according to sources.

Meanwhile, according to sources both in BSF and in Pakistan Rangers in Lahore, the Indian jawan will be handed back tomorrow. BSF sources said a company commander level flag meeting was held earlier today at the Nikowal border post area in Jammu's Sunderbani sector between the Force and the Pakistani Rangers who said the BSF jawan Satyasheel Yadav (30) would return tomorrow.

In Lahore, a senior Rangers official said "we have decided to free the Indian soldier. We have completed his interrogation. He will be handed over to the BSF tomorrow in the presence of the media after a flag meeting with BSF in Sialkot on Friday morning."

PTI