Jalandhar, Oct 3: In a noble gesture amid heightened tension between the two countries, the BSF today handed back to Pakistan authorities a 12-year-old boy who had accidentally crossed over to the Indian side in search of drinking water. Officials said the the boy identified as Md Tanveer was apprehended by the Border Security Force last evening at the Dona Telu Mal border post in Punjab. Also Read - India's NSA Ajit Doval Walks Out of SCO Meet as Pakistan Presents 'Fictitious Map' Showing Jammu and Kashmir as Its Own

They said he “inadvertently” crossed the International Border (IB) and came over to the Indian side in search of drinking water from a tubewell as he was thirsty.(ALSO READ: Security forces arrest 2 Pakistan nationals along Jammu and Kashmir border) Also Read - Jammu and Kashmir: Pakistan Shells Mortars in Poonch District Along LoC, Indian Army Retaliates

The BSF, officials said, took care of Tanveer overnight and kept him at their camp and early today contacted their Pakistani counterparts so that he could be sent back to his village Dhari in the Kasur district of that country. “Tanveer was handed over to the Rangers at about 11:00 AM today as per the policy of handing back inadvertent crossers on humanitarian grounds,” they said. Also Read - Outrage in Pakistan After Robbers Gang-Rape Woman in Front of Her 3 Children in Punjab Province

An Indian soldier, Chandu Babulal Chavan, is in Pakistan’s custody after he “inadvertently” crossed over last week. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said a well- established mechanism through the DGMO has been activated to bring back Chavan.

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