KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
The army in Balakote sector of Poonch district has barred a couple from Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) to meet their relatives despite legal permission and permit.
On Monday this week, 50-year old Muhammad Bin Yamin Khan Tabassum, resident of Kotli, PaK and his wife Rubina Kounsar crossed into this side via Chakandah Bagh through ongoing Poonch-Rawalakot bus service.
Yamin Khan had crossed over to other side of Kashmir during 1965 war and is residing there since then.
After crossing this week, Yamin Khan was supposed to meet his brother Muhammad Younis at Dabbi Dhrati Balakote, which is a Forward Area. However, when he and his wife reached near the fence, the army’s 15 Bihar Regiment didn’t allow them to cross.
The PaK man and his wife, despite repeated pleas, were not allowed by the Company Commander of 15 Bihar Regiment to move ahead. They also showed their legal travel documents but weren’t allowed to proceed.
The couple told GNS that as a result they took refuge in the house of a local namely Muhammad Sadiq and are there since Monday.
Meanwhile, the couple and their relatives approached the police post concerned at Balakote and apprised them about the whole issue. “However, when the incharge of police post Balakote, ASI Nazarat Hussain, asked the army officer that why is he barring the guests from other of the Kashmir, the Company Commander of 15 Bihar Regiment hurled abuses on police officer and threatened him of dire consequences,” official sources said.
Following this, the relatives of PaK couple approached SDM Mendhar Thakur Sher Singh and SDPO Mendhar Shahid Nayeem.
The SDPO said that there is no justification to bar the PaK guests from their relatives. “They have crossed with legal permit and documents and there is no point of stopping them,” he said. The SDPO also expressed anguish over the behaviour of army officer concerned.
The SDM Mendhar, meanwhile, has sought a report from SDPO in this regard. However, sources told GNS that couple would be allowed to meet their relative’s by tomorrow.
