Indian soldier, Chandu Babulal Chohan, who inadvertently crossed the Line of Control (LoC), was pleaded guilty by General Court-Martial (GCM) on Wednesday.
Chouhan was captured by Pakistani troops after he crossed the international border, a day after the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on terror launchpads across the LoC.
Statement from the Ministry of Defence stated "Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan crossed over to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir from own Krishna Ghati sector on 29 Sep 16. In order to ensure his release the matter was taken up with Pakistani Military authorities through the existing Hotline and scheduled DGMO level talks. His presence was acknowledged by Pakistan on 07 Oct 16. The matter has been continuously raised in scheduled DGMO level talks since then. The issue was also taken up diplomatically through our High Commission in Pakistan and Ministry of External Affairs."
"Today (21 Jan 17) at 1PM, we finally got confirmation by Pakistan Military Authorities that Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan would be handed over to Indian Authorities at Wagah at 3 PM Indian time. The Jawan was finally handed over to our representatives at Wagah Crossing Point at approx 3:45 PM," the statement added.
Chohan had said he "accidentally" crossed LoC.
However, the sentence awarded by GCM is yet to be confirmed by appropriate authority.
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