Family members of a Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) resident, Hassam Shahzad, have appealed to civil and military authorities in Pakistan for his urgent repatriation after he inadvertently crossed the Line of Control (LoC) into Indian-occupied territory.

The Poonch Deputy Commissioner, Syed Mumtaz Kazmi, stated that a report regarding the inadvertent crossing has been sent to higher authorities, and they are hopeful for appropriate action to be taken soon.

They fear for his safety, worrying that Indian forces might harm him by falsely branding him a militant, especially during the ongoing elections in the region, Express Tribune reported.

The family became aware of Shahzad’s situation after his picture was shared on news portals and social media in Indian-occupied Kashmir, identifying him as a “Pakistani intruder.” The photo depicted him barefoot and kneeling with his hands tied.

According to his cousin, Rashid Iqbal, Shahzad had been struggling with personal issues and had previously received treatment at a rehabilitation center in Mirpur but had not fully recovered.

Shahzad reportedly suffers from a mental illness. On Saturday afternoon, he entered a house near the heavily militarized LoC in the Tetrinote sector of Poonch district. Startled by the presence of women in the house, he panicked and fled, inadvertently crossing into Indian-occupied territory.