Mentally challenged man killed by Indian BSF laid to rest in Kasur village

KASUR: A 35-year-old mentally challenged man, Mustafa Ahmed, who was shot dead by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), was buried in his ancestral village, Shamkot Jhugian, on Saturday night.

According to police, Mustafa Ahmed had travelled with his family to Gadoki village, located on the Zero Line within the jurisdiction of Mustafabad Police Station, on March 9 to visit relatives. Family members stated that Ahmed left the house at night without informing anyone and inadvertently crossed the border into India.

The family reported that BSF personnel attempted to stop Ahmed, but he did not respond to their warnings. They said that the BSF then opened fire, resulting in his death at the scene.

Pakistani authorities requested the return of Ahmed’s body, which was handed over on Saturday. He was subsequently laid to rest in Shamkot Jhugian village, located within the limits of Chunian Police Station.

The incident has drawn attention to the dangers faced by individuals living near the border, particularly those with mental health challenges. The circumstances leading to Ahmed’s crossing and subsequent shooting were described by his family, who emphasized that he was mentally challenged and had crossed the border unintentionally.

The burial was attended by local residents and family members, who expressed grief over the loss. The return of the body followed demands from Pakistani authorities after the shooting incident.

The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding border security and the treatment of civilians who inadvertently cross the boundary between Pakistan and India.