2 Kashmiris arrive at Nepal border from Pak

He also said the group was handed over to a team of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) unit of J&K police and they have been sent to Delhi. Chandra also said it is yet to be verified if the two Kashmiris were earlier affiliated to any militant outfit in Pakistan.

SSB Commandant KS Bankoti said Azizullah Butt (35) and his wife Gulnaz Bibi arrived at Sonauli border with their seven children,including three girls,around 10 pm yesterday.

When enquired,Butt told the SSB that he belongs to Kupwara area of Kashmir and had entered Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) along with a group of Kashmiris in 1994. He denied having trained or worked with any militant group during his stay in PoK and claimed he used to run a business of timber. He got married to Gulnaz about eight years ago.

Bankoti added that the CID unit of J&K police was informed about Butt and his family and they were taken to Delhi this morning.

Meanwhile,another Kashmiri identified as Mohammad Rafi Mir (32) of Kupwara,accompanying two daughters and a son,arrived at Sonauli border this morning. He told the SSB men that he had left Kashmir in 1997 and had been staying in PoK.

The official said that Mir did not reply when inquired if he was linked with any militant outfit. He merely said he had married a girl there who refused to come with him and he was returning to his native place with his children. Mir,too,was handed over to J&K police team.

The SSB official said that Azizullah and Mir knew each other.