Srinagar, July 13: The unarmed Pakistani soldier arrested yesterday for crossing the Line of Control in Jammu’s Poonch was sent back today as a “goodwill gesture”.

But two versions emerged on why Arif Ali, 19, was found on the wrong side of the line. According to Colonel R.K. Palta, the defence spokesperson in Jammu, the soldier had left his 25-Frontier Force (FF) unit “due to certain unfavorable conditions prevailing there and had deliberately crossed over to the Indian side”.

But Brigadier M.K. Mago, whose unit arrested and questioned Arif, said he had inadvertently crossed over.