Three youngsters including two minors hailing from Pakistan Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, who were apprehended by the jawans of the Indian Army after they had 'inadvertently' crossed into the Indian territory on August 18, were repatriated through Chakan-da bagh crossing point in Poonch on Friday.
Before returning home the kids greeted jawans of the Indian Army and acknowledged their warm gesture and hospitality during their short stay with them.
Elder among the three kids, Danyal Malik said, "Jawans of the Indian Army treated us nicely and took us around different places including a local school where we interacted with the kids. We also visited a local mosque and played cricket. We were nicely accommodated by the Indian Army. We are grateful they treated us nicely during our stay here."
Defence PRO in Jammu Lt-Col Devender Anand said, "On 18 Aug 2021, Indian Army troops apprehended three children in Poonch , who crossed the Line of Control from Pakistan occupied Jammu & Kashmir to the Indian side".
Defence PRO said, the apprehended individuals turned out to be young children between 9 to 17 years of age.
There was a fourth person who was the eldest amongst them and managed to run away from the Line of Control. Indian troops did not open fire on the individual attempting to cross back to Pakistan occupied Jammu & Kashmir, since the troops noticed that they were children".
Defence PRO further said, "On interaction, the children revealed that they belong to Chhatra and Troti Dharmshal across the Line of Control. They claim to be labourers excavating sand from river and nallah beds and they crossed the line of control for fishing".
"The children were treated very humanely and compassionately, beholding the finest traditions of the Indian Army. On 20 Aug 2021 the children were safely repatriated to Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir", Defence PRO added.
Earlier, three girls were repatriated by the Indian Army in December 2020.