AJK Resident
Family members of Hassam Shahzad, a resident of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), have urgently appealed to both civil and military authorities in Pakistan for his repatriation after he unintentionally crossed the Line of Control (LoC) into Indian-occupied territory.
Shahzad’s family is increasingly worried for his safety, fearing that Indian forces might label him a militant, particularly in light of the ongoing elections in the region.
Poonch Deputy Commissioner Syed Mumtaz Kazmi confirmed that a report regarding Shahzad’s inadvertent crossing has been submitted to higher authorities, expressing hope for prompt action to resolve the situation.
The family first learned of Shahzad’s plight when his photograph circulated on news portals and social media in Indian-occupied Kashmir, where he was identified as a “Pakistani intruder.”
In the photo, Shahzad is seen barefoot and kneeling, with his hands tied, further heightening the family’s concerns for his well-being.
According to his cousin, Rashid Iqbal, Shahzad has been grappling with personal issues and had previously sought treatment at a rehabilitation center in Mirpur.
However, he had not fully recovered from his struggles, which are reportedly related to a mental illness.
On Saturday afternoon, Shahzad entered a house in the Tetrinote sector of the Poonch district, located near the heavily militarized LoC.
Upon noticing the presence of women in the house, he panicked and fled, inadvertently crossing into Indian-occupied territory.
The family is now anxiously waiting for a response from the authorities, hoping for a swift and safe return for Shahzad, who is in a vulnerable state given his mental health challenges.
