Pakistan to hand over Indian soldier, says army

Pakistan Army said Saturday it would hand over an Indian soldier, who had crossed the Pakistani side of the Line of Control in Kashmir region in September due to his "grievances."

The Pakistani and Indian media had reported earlier that one Indian soldier had been missing when forces of the two countries involved in exchange of firing along the LoC, the de facto border between the nuclear neighbours.

"Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chohan, an Indian Army soldier, stationed in Indian occupied Kashmir, deserted his post at LOC due to his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders. He willfully crossed LOC on Sept. 29, 2016 and surrendered himself to Pakistan Army," the Pakistan army said.

"As a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility along LOC and WB, Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chohan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wahga Border on humanitarian grounds," a statement from the army's Inter-Services Public Relations said.

There has been escalation along the LoC since the militants attacked an army center in the Indian-controlled Kashmir in September which had killed 19 soldiers.

Exchange of firing caused casualties on both sides. The two countries accuse each other of violation of the 2003 ceasefire.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars, two over Kashmir, since their independence from the British colonial rule in 1947. Endit