Boy who crossed border 'inadvertently' handed over to Pakistan
The Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday said it has handed over an eight-year-old boy to Pakistani rangers after he inadvertently crossed the international border (IB) and reached India's Barmer sector from the neighboring country. "The incident took place at the border security fence near the border outpost of Somrar in the Barmer sector of Rajasthan on Friday," officials said.
The boy entered Indian territory and reached upto BS fence
"As a goodwill gesture, the BSF on Friday handed over a Pakistani minor boy in a flag meeting with Pakistan Rangers," the BSF stated. "On April 2, Karim s/o Yamanu, age approximately eight years, had inadvertently crossed the IB, entered Indian territory and reached upto BS (border security) fence near BOP (border out post) Somrar of Barmer sector (in Rajasthan)," it added.
Troops on duty spotted him, asked him to go back
"The boy was spotted by alert troops on duty, who asked him to go back. Seeing men in uniform, the boy started crying. But BSF men calmed him and gave him some eatables and water," the BSF said.
The boy seemed to have lost his way: BSF
"The boy seemed to have lost his way and reached across IB, as nearest Pakistan village Somrar is about three km from the place, where the boy was spotted by the BSF," it said. "Soon, on the directions of HQrs (headquarters), a flag meeting was held with Pakistan Rangers and the minor boy was handed over to them," the statement said.
Boy's smile displayed gratitude toward the BSF
"The smile on the face of the minor boy while handing over to the counterpart displayed the gratitude toward the generous behavior of the BSF," the statement further said. Rajasthan's Barmer sector comes under the BSF's Gujarat Frontier along with the Gandhinagar sector and the Bhuj sector. BSF's Gujarat Frontier has its headquarters in Gandhinagar.