JAMMU, NOVEMBER 29: A teenager from Pakistan occupied Kashmir, who had crossed over to Poonch district from across the Line of Control on November 25, was on Monday booked by the Jammu and Kashmir Police under provisions of the Egress and Internal Movement (Control) Ordinance (E&IMCO).
Sources said that the registration of FIR against the PoK teenager followed his handing over to police by the Army who had apprehended him soon after he crossed the LoC four days ago. This was done after his questioning by Army officials, sources added.
Poonch SSP Dr Vinod Kumar confirmed it saying that one illegally crossing the LoC has to be booked under provisions of the Act after one is handed over by security forces to the police.
While sources said the boy was aged 14, SSP said that it was being ascertained. However, the latter admitted that the boy was a juvenile, adding further legal formalities were in progress.
There have been five incidents of teenagers crossing over the LoC in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch during the past some months. After preliminary questioning, some of them had been handed over to Pakistan Army as a goodwill gesture.
However, in view of the stepped up infiltration attempts from across the LoC and reports about movement of militants in the hinterland during the recent past, the practice has been stopped and all such infiltrating teenagers are put to questioning and booked for illegal infiltration, sources added.
In October last, the Army had had lost its nine soldiers including two JCOs during fire fight with militants in Chamrel and Bhatta Durian forests falling in Poonch district. However, there has been no clue about the militants.