PoJK girl, 17, crosses LoC in Rajouri; Indian Army hands her to J&K Police
Synopsis
A 17-year-old girl from Pakistan-occupied J&K crossed the Line of Control into Rajouri's Nowshera sector and was detained by the Indian Army during routine surveillance. She has been handed to local police as investigators work to determine whether the crossing was accidental — a routine but telling reminder of how porous and consequential the LoC remains for civilians on both sides.
Key Takeaways
A 17-year-old girl from PoJK crossed the Line of Control into Nowshera sector, Rajouri district on Saturday, 4 October 2025 .
She was identified as S.
Azeem , daughter of Mohd Azeem of Khuiretta, PoJK .
Army personnel from the Lam sector detected her during routine surveillance and handed her to Nowshera police .
She reportedly claimed the crossing was inadvertent ; authorities are continuing their investigation.
If cleared, she would be repatriated through designated crossing points such as Chakan Da Bagh in Poonch or Kaman Aman Setu in Uri.
A 17-year-old girl from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) was apprehended by the Indian Army on Saturday, 4 October 2025, after she crossed the Line of Control (LoC) into the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir. The minor has since been handed over to local police for further questioning.
How the Crossing Was Detected
Army personnel deployed in the Lam sector detected suspicious movement near the LoC during routine surveillance operations. Troops subsequently moved in, intercepted the girl, and detained her for preliminary questioning. Officials said she was identified as S. Azeem, daughter of Mohd Azeem, a resident of Khuiretta in PoJK.
What the Minor Said During Questioning
During initial interrogation, the girl reportedly maintained that she had inadvertently crossed the LoC and entered Indian territory. Authorities said they are continuing their investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. She is currently being questioned by the Nowshera police.
Standard Protocol for LoC Crossings
People who inadvertently cross the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir are routinely apprehended by the Indian Army, handed to local police for identity verification and background checks, and subsequently repatriated to Pakistan through designated crossing points — once investigations confirm the crossing was accidental. Common explanations in such cases include getting disoriented while grazing livestock or farming near the heavily marked boundary.
The Indian Army contacts Pakistani military counterparts through established hotlines and flag meetings to facilitate repatriation. Designated crossing points used in such cases include Chakan Da Bagh in Poonch, Kaman Aman Setu in Baramulla/Uri, and the Tithwal/Simari sectors, all conducted in the presence of civil and military officials from both sides.
Context and Next Steps
This is one of several such incidents recorded along the Rajouri-Nowshera stretch, a segment of the LoC that runs through rugged terrain where civilian villages sit in close proximity to the boundary. Investigators are working to confirm whether the crossing was inadvertent or carried any other motive. Further details from the ongoing inquiry are awaited.
Point of View
But each case also underscores how little buffer exists between civilian life and a contested international boundary. What mainstream coverage often underplays is the humanitarian dimension: many such individuals are minors or subsistence farmers with limited knowledge of exactly where the LoC lies on the ground. The outcome of this investigation will matter less for geopolitics than for the fate of one teenager caught in an extraordinarily complex geography.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who crossed the Line of Control in Rajouri?
A 17-year-old girl identified as S. Azeem, daughter of Mohd Azeem from Khuiretta in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, crossed the LoC into the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district. She was apprehended by Indian Army personnel during routine surveillance on Saturday.
What happens to civilians who inadvertently cross the LoC?
Civilians who cross the LoC are detained by the Indian Army for preliminary questioning and then handed to local police for identity verification and background checks. If investigations confirm the crossing was accidental, they are repatriated to Pakistan through designated crossing points such as Chakan Da Bagh in Poonch or Kaman Aman Setu in Uri.
What did the girl say during questioning?
During initial interrogation, S. Azeem reportedly maintained that she had crossed the Line of Control inadvertently and entered Indian territory by mistake. Investigators are continuing their enquiry to verify the full circumstances of the incident.
Which Indian Army sector detected the crossing?
Army personnel deployed in the Lam sector detected suspicious movement near the LoC during routine surveillance and subsequently intercepted the minor. She was questioned and then handed over to the Nowshera police for further enquiry.
How does the Indian Army coordinate repatriation of LoC crossers?
The Indian Army contacts Pakistani military counterparts through established hotlines and flag meetings. Repatriations take place at designated crossing points — including Chakan Da Bagh in Poonch, Kaman Aman Setu in Baramulla/Uri, and the Tithwal/Simari sectors — in the presence of civil and military officials from both sides.
