#FreeBabulalChavan: Stakes up to release Indian soldier in Pakistan

Los angeles : In a significant diplomatic move, the Indian government will now take up the matter of the release of Chandu Babulal Chavan with Pakistan.

Soldier Babulal Chavan 'inadvertently' crossed over into PoK during Indian Army's surgical strikes across LoC on September 29.

The move turns out to be significant as till now only Indian army DGMO (Director General of Military Operations), Ranbir Singh, was seeking Chavan's release from his Pakistan counterpart. 

According to sources, the Indian government felt that the Pakistan army had not responded to the plea of Chavan, hence took the matter to the Pakistan foreign ministry.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had so far kept away from Chavan's case, allowing the army to handle the situation.

Chavan a 37 Rashtriya Rifles sepoy, Chavan was posted in the Mendhar sector in J&K when he was reported missing hours after the surgical strikes on September 29. 

According to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar a well established mechanism through the DGMO' had been activated to seek Chavan's release. 

Pakistan had initially denied that Chavan was in its custody but acknowledged the fact on October 13 after facing pressure from Indian government. Pakistan also accepted the fact that Chavan is being interrogated.