By Muhammad Luqman
Pakistan has handed over the body of an Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier who had drowned while crossing a nullah, to Indian authorities, Pakistan Army’s media wing said in a statement on Tuesday.
Sub-Inspector Paritosh Mondal, of India’s BSF, had drowned while crossing Nullah Aik along the Working Boundary inside Indian-occupied Kashmir, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Pakistani Rangers handing over the body of Indian Border Security Forces’ (BSF) officer to BSF today. The officer was washed away while crossing a stream near the working border on Saturday. The body was fished out by Pakistani soldiers in their territory today. (📸: ISPR) pic.twitter.com/BIHTUb3KFG
— Kashmir Source (@KashmirOsint) October 1, 2019
His body was reportedly swept by the currents towards the Pakistan side of the border. Indian BSF subsequently requested the Pakistan Rangers to search his body.
“Pakistan Rangers Punjab undertook a search operation, recovered the body and handed over to Indian BSF today as per military procedure,” the ISPR press release said.
The development comes at a time of high tension between Pakistan and India following the Indian government’s decision to unilaterally revoke Article 370 of its constitution, which granted special autonomy to occupied Kashmir. A communications blackout and heavy restrictions on movement imposed by the Indian authorities from the eve of this development have been in place for nearly two months now.
Following India’s decision to repeal Article 370, Pakistan had downgraded diplomatic relations with New Delhi and suspended all bilateral trade. The Indian ambassador was asked to leave and train and bus services with India were also suspended.
