Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Sunday that a well-established mechanism through the DGMO has been activated to bring back army jawan Chandu Babulal Chavan, who is in Pakistan’s custody after inadvertently crossing over.

“There is a standard mechanism at the DGMO level, which has been activated,” Parrikar told the media on Sunday morning in Pune. He was attending an event under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan organised by Pune Cantonment board on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, reported The Indian Express.

On September 30, Chavan, from 37 Rashtriya Rifles, had inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control following which Pakistan had been informed by the DGMO on the hotline.

“Such inadvertent crossings by the army and civilians are not unusual on either side. They are returned through existing mechanisms,” the army had said.

On Friday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had called up the family of the soldier and assured them that efforts are being made to secure his release. Chavan’s grandmother had passed away after hearing the news of his crossing over to Pakistan.

Parrikar also said that people should remain alert and report anything unusual to the police.

(With inputs from PTI)

(Feature image source: PTI)