Ashfaq Ali at the Attari-Wagah Border

A 16-year-old boy from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) who was arrested last year for crossing International Border along the Line of Control (LoC), has expressed his desire to stay in India.

Ashfaq Ali expressed his desire to stay and work in India after being released at Attari-Wagah border today.

"I crossed the border by mistake when I was caught. I was here for 14 months. I don't want to go back," he told ANI.

He also said that India is good and he can get a job here. "I wish Indian govt would let me stay," he said.

Ashfaq Ali was arrested in May 2017 as he was found moving suspiciously after crossing over into the Indian territory near the LoC in Rajouri district. On being challenged by the army’s patrol party, he immediately surrendered.