India has shown its eagerness to secure the early release of one of its soldiers, who was captured by Pakistani troops within the disputed region of Kashmir, where Delhi claims that it conducted surgical strikes on Thursday night.
Rajnath Singh, India’s Minister of Home Affairs, says, “All attempts are being made. The government will take up the matter with Islamabad for his early release.” However, it is not clear whether the captured soldier was involved in the airstrikes.
Indian Army sources had said “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.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Dr. Maleeha Lodhi confirmed to Al Jazeera that Pakistan’s Army had captured an Indian soldier who was trying to enter Pakistani territory. The matter of the soldier’s release had dominated the Friday’s high-level security meeting in Delhi, which was attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, officials from the defense ministry, para-military forces and home ministry officials.
Pakistan Army Denies Capturing any Indian Soldier along the LoC
Pakistan Army denied on Thursday reports that it had captured an Indian army soldier alongside the Line of Control (LoC) near the disputed Kashmir valley.
The military’s media wing, ISPR, when contacted, denied that an Indian soldier was in Pakistan Army’s custody.