The Times of India reports that a soldier who crossed the Line of Control in 2016 and was held prisoner by Pakistan for four months before being turned over to Indian authorities pleaded guilty yesterday to having done so willfully. A general court-martial sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for two months and 29 days and loss of two years' pension credit. The adjudged sentence is subject to confirmation before it becomes final. Thereafter it will be subject to appellate review.
Daily News & Analysis reports:
Though the soldier maintained that he inadvertently crossed the LoC, there were reports that [Chandu Babulal] Chavan had deserted his post during the surgical strikes carried out in September last year.
Pakistan had handed over Chavan in January this year. The soldier had returned through the land transit route of Attari-Wagah border. The BSF [Border Security Force] handed him over to the Army which took him to an undisclosed location.
The 22-year-old, who was posted with 37 Rashtriya Rifles, had surrendered to Pakistani forces, the Inter-Services Public Relations, Pakistan Army's media wing had said in a statement.
They, in fact, alleged that the Sepoy crossed over willfully over 'his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders'.
Chavan belongs to Borvihir village in Dhule district of Maharashtra. His grandmother suffered a cardiac arrest and died after the family was informed that he was captured by the Pakistan Army.
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