All attempts being made to free soldier in Pakistan captivity: Rajnath Singh

Chandu Babulal Chauhan, a soldier serving with the 37 Rashtriya Rifles, was captured after he “inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control”, an Indian Army official said.

Pakistan, surgical strikes, Indian soldier captured, Indian soldier captive, Rajnath singh, Loc,

Home Minister Rajnath Singh. (Source: Express photo by Shuaib Masoodi)

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that all attempts are being made to free the Indian soldier who is in Pakistan’s captivity. Singh is presently conducting a meeting where NSA Ajit Doval and senior ITBP officials are present.

Chandu Babulal Chauhan, a soldier serving with the 37 Rashtriya Rifles, was captured after he “inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control”, an Indian Army official said. Islamabad-based diplomatic sources, however, told The Indian Express that Chauhan had been captured by Pakistani troops at Jhandroot, west of Mankote, and was now being kept at the military headquarters in Nikayal.

WATCH VIDEO: India’s Surgical Strike: Beyond What The Govt Said

Singh said the government has taken note of the reports which stated that an Indian soldier is in Pakistan’s captivity. “All attempts are being made to secure his release,” he told reporters here. The Home Minister also said that New Delhi will take up the matter with Islamabad for his early release. Indian Army sources had said yesterday that “one soldier from 37 RR with weapon has inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control. Pakistan has been informed by the DGMO on the hotline.”

The sources had said that his crossing over was not related to the surgical strikes. “Such inadvertent crossing by Army and civilians are not unusual on either side. They are returned through existing mechanisms,” they had said.
The Indian Army had yesterday rejected as “false and baseless” reports in a section of Pakistani media that eight Indian soldiers were killed and one captured by Pakistani military in retaliatory fire.

WATCH VIDEO: Night After Surgical Strikes: PM Narendra Modi To Review Situation

Indian Army sources said, “As regard (to the) report of killing of eight Indian Army personnel reported in sections of Pakistan media, the report is completely false and baseless.” Army’s reaction had came after Pakistan’s Dawn News reported that Pakistani military has claimed that it has killed eight Indian soldiers and captured one while retaliating to India’s firing at the first line of defence at the Line of Control (LoC) at Tatta Pani.

Story continues below this ad

This development comes a day after India conducted surgical strikes on seven terrorist launch pads along the Line of Control (LoC). A joint media briefing was conducted by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, where DGMO Lt Gen Ranbir Singh had said that India conducted surgical strikes last night along the LoC to safeguard the nation. “Significant casualties have been caused to terrorists and those trying to shield them. We don’t have a plan to further conduct such strikes. India has spoken to Pakistan,” he said.

Speaking on the operation last night, Singh said that the motive of this operation was to hit out at the terrorists who were planning to infiltrate into our territory, adding that no Indian casualties during surgical strikes that were carried out in Pakistan territory last night by the Indian Army.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram