BSF jawan to be handed over by Pak today: Rajnath Singh

The jawan was captured by Pakistan in their territory after being swept away by a strong current of the Chenab river

The BSF jawan, who was captured by Pakistan in their territory after being swept away by a strong current of the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir, will be handed back today, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said.

"The jawan will be handed over to us at 3 PM at the Octroi post along the border. The DG of BSF has already left for Jammu to receive the jawan," he told reporters here on the sidelines of a function.

The decision has been taken following a flag meeting between the Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers yesterday, he said.

Satyasheel Yadav (30) was out on a patrol with three other personnel in the Paragwal-Khour sub-sector of general area Akhnoor when the boat they were travelling in developed a problem on Wednesday.

Officials said when the patrol squad was negotiating a narrow bend in the river in this sector, the engine of the motorboat failed.

A rescue boat later sent to fetch the BSF men was taken by three personnel but Yadav was swept in the strong current as the rope holding him snapped and he subsequently landed 400 metres away in the Sialkot sector of Pakistan where he was picked up by the villagers initially and then handed over to the Rangers, they said.