Army cites security decision to bar PaK youth from meeting grandmother in Poonch

Srinagar

The army on Thursday cited decision taken at a security conference last year for not allowing 21-year-old youth from Pakistan Administered Kashmir who legally crossed over the Line of Control in Chakan-da-Bagh Poonch on January 28 to meet his grandmother and his other relatives in this frontier district.

Kamran Aftab, a resident of Bandi, tehsil Khuiratta, district Kotli of Pakistan administered Kashmir

In this regard, the army has written a letter to Deputy Commissioner Poonch giving reference of the minutes of the security conference held last year, Lt Col Devinder Anand, Jammu-based defense spokesman, told news agency GNS.

“The army has also requested that the individual will be facilitated to meet his family members on this side of the fence whenever he desires but across the fence they (Deputy Commissioner) should reconsider the permission,” he said.

Kamran Aftab, the 21-year-old resident of Bandi, tehsil Khuiratta, district Kotli of PaK travelled on the peace bus on Monday to meet with his many relatives on this side of the LoC including his grandmother who lives in Galota Behrote village, located ahead of LoC fence on the side manned by the Indian army. To reach there, one has to cross gates manned by the army.

On reaching Poonch, Kamran said he moved towards Mendhar in order to meet his grandmother and relatives Mohammad Mahroof son of Faqir Mohammad living in Galota Behrote.

“I reached the army gate so that I can move towards the village where my grandmother and uncle are living but army disallowed me,” Kamran said, adding that he then went to Police Post Balakote along with some local residents and also visited the office of deputy commissioner Poonch and informed him about the matter.

The officer, in turn, wrote a letter to army authorities, asking them to permit Aftab to travel across to meet the grandmother and other relatives.

However, the army authorities again barred him to cross the gates despite the letter of permission by the Deputy Commissioner.

“I am presently living in the house of one of my relative here and wish to go to Galota Behrote village where my grandmother and uncle’s family is living,” Kamran said. (GNS)

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