Indian Soldier Chandu Chavan Who Inadvertently Crossed LoC To Be Returned, Confirms Pakistan

Pakistan has confirmed that the Indian soldier Chandu Chavan, who inadvertently had crossed the border last year, will be released today.

Chavan will be returned at 3 PM via Wagah Border in Punjab. He will be debriefed and a special medical check-up will be carried out.

Pakistan Army spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said Chavan's release was part of a goodwill gesture from the county to maintain peace and tranquility along the LoC.

Pak Army returning Indian sldr #Chandu Babulal Chohan to India as goodwill. He deserted to Pak on 29 Sep 16 on grievances against his comds. pic.twitter.com/YtOkh7WZE0

¡ª Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) January 21, 2017

Chavan, a soldier from 37 Rashtriya Rifles, had mistakenly crossed the LoC in Kashmir hours after India's surgical strikes on terrorist bases.

Pakistan while detaining him had initially calimed that he was "captured while trying to enter the country's border.

PTI/ File

Indian army had then said that these kind of inadvertent crossing happens along the LoC form both sides and Chavan will be returned through an existing mechanism.

However Pakistan, given the tensions between the two countries at that time said he won't be returned and will be treated as a prisoner of war.