The government’s attempts to diplomatically pursue the release of Indian army soldier Chandu Babulal Chavan have finally paid off. Pakistan military authorities have declared to release the Indian soldier.
Chandu inadvertently strayed across the border last year, on September 29, the same day when the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan. He was posted with the 37 Rashtriya Rifles battalion at Mendhar in Jammu & Kashmir.
Confirming the release, Pakistan has admitted that Chandu Chavan is alive and that they will soon release him after inquiry, which is nearing completion.
We are trying at the level of DGMO (Director General of Military Operations), to secure his release. So far, the DGMO has spoken to their Pakistan counterpart at least 15 to 20 times.
The last time such talks took place was two days ago when Pakistan said that the inquiry is getting over and Chandu Chavan will soon be released.
This information was made public by Union Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre. Chandu hails from Bhamre’s Lok Sabha constituency (Dhule), who have been in regular touch with Chandu’s family.
Sources in Pakistan government, however, said there was no official confirmation on Chavan’s release. “There has been no such development. We haven’t even acknowledged Chandu Chavan’s arrest…The report finds no mention in the Pakistani media,” a source said.
However, Pakistan government sources did confirm that Javed, an Indian national who strayed into Pakistani territory in May 2016 had been released this week.
So far, there is no indication of the possible date or the time-frame within which Chavan could be released. Sources in the Indian Foreign Ministry have said that the possible date of the soldier’s release is still being worked out.
