A 22-year-old youth from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) was apprehended by the Army near the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Uri sector on Sunday.
While security agencies are questioning him after detaining him near the LoC, preliminary reports suggest that the youth took the risky step to meet his girlfriend and hoped to settle permanently in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
An official said that the PoJK resident, identified as Zeeshan Ahmad Mir, son of Lal Din Mir and a resident of Muzaffarabad, was apprehended by the Army’s 12 Grenadiers unit at Silikote in Uri.
He was detained along with Iram Bano, daughter of Abdul Majeed Mir and a resident of Tilawari village in Uri.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the two were in a relationship. Zeeshan is believed to have crossed the LoC to meet his girlfriend in Uri.
The duo is currently in Army custody and is being questioned to ascertain how the PoJK resident managed to reach the area and the circumstances surrounding the suspected cross-LoC movement.
During interrogation, Mir reportedly told security agencies that he had crossed the LoC to meet Iram, who resides in Tilawari village. Officials said both Zeeshan and Iram are being questioned by security agencies.
According to initial reports, Zeeshan and Iram became acquainted through social media. Over time, their online friendship developed into a romantic relationship.
Investigators have learned that Zeeshan was allegedly under stress due to financial responsibilities and domestic tensions within his family. During this period, he developed a close bond with Iram through social media.
The two also reportedly discovered that Zeeshan’s ancestors hailed from the same border village where Iram currently resides.
According to officials, Zeeshan shared his family problems with Iram, and the two allegedly planned that he would cross the LoC into Indian territory and surrender before the Army. After completing the legal process related to his illegal entry, he reportedly hoped to settle in Jammu and Kashmir and pursue a claim to ancestral property.
Driven by hopes of starting a new life, Zeeshan crossed the LoC and entered the Uri sector. However, alert Army personnel apprehended him soon after his entry.
During the course of the investigation, Iram Bano was also questioned to corroborate Zeeshan’s statements. She reportedly appealed to the authorities to treat him leniently and not deport him back to PoJK.
Security agencies, however, are treating the matter seriously and are investigating all aspects of the case, including the possibility of any larger conspiracy behind the cross-border movement. Further legal action will be decided after the investigation is completed.
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