Jammu, March 9: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday sent back a Pakistani intruder, a day after he accidently crossed over the International Border in Jammu & Kashmir's Samba district. The decision to free him was taken as "goodwill gesture" amid the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

"As a goodwill gesture and maintaining peace and tranquility at International Border, today at about 1540 hours (3:40 pm IST), Border Security Force handed over Pakistan national, apprehended yesterday while crossing International Border in Ramgarh area of Samba district, to the Pakistani Rangers," said the statement issued by BSF's public relation officer.

The Pakistani intruder was apprehended on Friday afternoon by BSF troops in Ramgarh sector, an official of the border guarding force had said. He said the alert BSF personnel noticed the person and caught him soon after he sneaked into this side from Pakistan.

The intruder was arrested and interrogated by the BSP officials. After ascertaining that he had accidently crossed over, the Indian side decided to send him back.

This comes over a week after Pakistan sent back Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who landed in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir on February 27 following the aerial dogfight between the two forces.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 09, 2019 07:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).