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A seven-year-old girl, Pooja Meghwal, who strayed into Pakistani territory while grazing cattle was handed back by the Pakistani authorities to BSF officials on Monday evening.
The girl is hale and hearty and returned with new dress, footwear and candies offered by Pakistani Rangers, Indian officials said.
Soon after getting the custody of Pooja, the BSF authorities took her to a hospital at an Indian post in Bikaner. The doctors found her in good health.
“We have also intimated her family members and will try to hand over her today,” said a senior officer of BSF.
BSF authorities were in touch with Pakistani Rangers since Friday and had several rounds of flag meetings to get her back. BSF officials said they were waiting for the flag meeting since morning. “The meeting started in the evening when a commandant from their side and a commandant from our side participated in the meeting. They handed over the girl to us at 7:30 pm and we have given her custody to the local police,” said a BSF officer.
“The girl was smiling and was seen in a new dress given to her by Pakistani Rangers,” a BSF officer said.
The girl told Indian officials that she was offered timely meal, candies, new footwear and a new dress by Pakistani Rangers. A woman officer was also deputed by them to take care of her,” Bishnoi added. Pooja had crossed the international border and entered Pakistan through a damaged fencing in Bikaner on Friday.
Pakistan returns strayed Indian girl with new dress, candies | Pakistan Today
Here is more credible evidence:
Pakistan returns Indian girl who strayed across border
By Narayan BarethRajasthan
- 3 April 2013
- From the sectionIndia
Pooja Meghwal returned wearing new clothes and carrying toffees
Residents of a remote village in India's Rajasthan state are celebrating the return of a seven-year-old girl who had accidently strayed into Pakistan.
Pooja Meghwal went missing on 29 March while grazing cattle near the border.
She was returned to her family on Monday after Indian security forces got in touch with Pakistani officials.
Every year, hundreds are arrested for straying across the border and securing their release is difficult because of the hostility between the two nations.
Pooja's family lives in a small village in Bikaner district, just 2km (1.2 miles) from the India-Pakistan border fence.
'Emotional moment'
"After she went missing, we were worried, but we were hopeful because we believed that no one would harm an innocent child," village head Ravindra Kasva told the BBC.
On Monday night, Pooja returned wearing new clothes and shoes and she had also been given toffees by Pakistani Rangers, police said.
"It was an emotional moment for her family when the girl returned and was reunited with them. Her mother hugged and blessed her," a police officer said.
The happy villagers distributed sweets to celebrate her safe return.
Police said Pooja had crossed over into Pakistan from a breach in the fence. They said they found her footprints going across the border while searching for her.
The police informed the paramilitary Border Security Force officials who raised the issue with the Pakistani Rangers.
On her return, Pooja said she had walked a long way before she came across a hut where she fell asleep, Mr Kasva said.
"She said later some people came and took her away. The girl said she had been well cared for on the other side," he added.
Hundreds of Indians and Pakistanis accidentally go across the border ever year and negotiations for their release are usually lengthy and difficult because of the hostile relations between the neighbours.
Pakistan returns Indian girl who strayed across border - BBC News
Yes,we are small hearted people because we can't see a little Indian girl lost in here.We would have been stone hearted if she was ill treated?Shame on you to think about us like that without establishing any interaction with us.
Regards
Countless examples:
Indian BSF soldier says he had 'comfortable' stay in Pakistan - Pakistan - DAWN.COM