Army hands over Zeeshan Mir from Muzaffarabad to JKP; investigations underway
Idrees Bukhtiyar
Srinagar, May 31: Security forces on Sunday apprehended a resident of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) after he allegedly crossed the Line of Control (LoC) into the Uri sector of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said.
The individual has been identified as Zeeshan Mir, a resident of Painkadi village in Muzaffarabad. During preliminary questioning, Mir reportedly told authorities that he had crossed into Kashmir to meet a woman identified as Iram Bano, a resident of the Tillawari area of Uri.
Officials said both Mir and Bano are being questioned by security agencies to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the cross-border entry.
A video purportedly showing the two sitting together while being questioned about their identities and background has gone viral on social media.
In a statement posted on X, the Army said, “A POJK intruder has been apprehended, who was intercepted by alert Chinar Warriors while crossing the Line of Control in Uri Sector. The vigilant troops maintained restraint while challenging the intruder and surgically apprehended the individual. Intruder handed over to JKP for further legal proceedings.”
Officials said investigations are underway to determine whether the crossing was solely personal in nature or if there were any other motives involved. Incidents involving individuals crossing the LoC to meet loved ones have surfaced in the past, though such cases remain rare given the heavily guarded nature of the border.
In a separate operation in the Uri sector, Army and police personnel apprehended three individuals allegedly attempting to cross into PoK.
According to officials, the trio, all residents of Sopore in Baramulla district, were intercepted on Saturday night along the Hathlanga–Nambla axis while allegedly trying to exfiltrate across the LoC. One of those detained is reported to be a former Territorial Army jawan.
The Army said the operation was launched on the basis of specific intelligence inputs.
“Based on specific intelligence input, a joint search operation was launched by Indian Army and J&K Police in general area of Uri, Baramulla. Two individuals from Sopore apprehended by vigilant Chinar Warriors while attempting exfiltration in Uri Sector with inimical intent along with their accomplice guide. Further probe underway,” the Army said in a statement on X.
Security agencies are continuing their investigations in both cases.