Pakistan repatriates crossing border Indian national

ISLAMABAD, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan military said Sunday that an Indian national, who had mistakenly crossed the border, has been handed over to the Indian authorities.

The army said Dalwinder Singh, 23 years old, who had inadvertently crossed into Pakistan on March 6, 2017, at a village in Kasur district has been returned to Indian Border Security Forces by Pakistan paramilitary Rangers at Wahga Check Post after due legal process.

"Dalwinder Singh was thankful to Pakistan Security Forces for treatment and care meted to him during the period and his return," a statement from the army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said.

Pakistan has returned the Indian national at a time when both countries are involved in cross-border skirmishes.

Pakistan and Indian military officials spoke on Friday to explore ways to reduce tension along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region.

An army statement said hotline contact was established between Pakistani and Indian Director General Military Operations (DGMOs) and the Pakistan Army took up the issue of "continuing surge in ceasefire violations (CFVs) by Indian Army" along the LoC and Working Boundary.

The military said on Friday that "unprovoked ceasefire violations" by the Indian forces killed two civilians and injured two others along the LoC.

Pakistan and India declared ceasefire in 2003 along the LoC, however, both countries routinely accuse each other of ceasefire violations. Enditem