Pakistan today handed over to India a BSF jawan who was captured by Pakistan Rangers. He was caught after he swept away into their territory by strong currents in Chenab river while on routine patrol duty on August 06.

The 30-year-old trooper Satyasheel Yadav was handed over to Border Security Force (BSF) officials by the commanders of the Pakistan Rangers at the zero line Octroi border post along the International Border (IB) in R S Pura sector of Jammu district.

The assurance of repatriation had earlier come from Pakistani authorities after a company commander level flag meeting was held yesterday at 02:45 P.M. for 15 minutes in the Nikowal border post area in Sunderbani sector of Jammu between BSF and the Pakistani Rangers. In New Delhi, India had yesterday summoned the Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner and sought immediate release of the BSF jawan.

The issue was also raised by the Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad with the Pakistan Foreign Office. AIR correspondent reports that while talking to media, Satyasheel Yadav acknowledged that Pakistani Rangers treated him very well beyond his expectations.

Political observers have expressed optimism that both India and Pakistan need to encourage such goodwill initiatives which may go a long way in building and sustaining peace, tranquility and mutual trust for the welfare & socio-economic development of common people in the sub-continent.