Pak troops thank India for repatriating soldier

Pakistani troops have thanked the Indian Army for its gesture in repatriating a soldier who had inadvertently crossed into North Kashmir last month. "Thank you very much. We appreciate this friendly gesture. We offer thanks for this and I am sure this gesture is actually a true reflection of the ceasefire agreement," Pakistani delegation leader Lieutenant Colonel Mazhar said at a flag meeting held on December 30.

The Pakistani jawan -- Sarfaraz Ahmed of Mujahid brigade, a paramilitary force -- was handed over to Pakistani authorities after the Army was convinced that he had accidentally strayed into Indian territory. An Army spokesman said today that the Pakistani soldier was also presented a watch, five kg of sweets and dry fruits, a hand-stitched carpet and a Quran stand. Ahmed had strayed into the Indian territory on 28 December, 2008.