Haveli, Kahuta: A 22-year-old girl, Fatima, from the Poonch district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, crossed the Line of Control (LoC) to enter the Haveli Kahuta district of Azad Kashmir. She claims she has come to marry her relative, Imran Mir, with whom she connected through Facebook.
Statement by the Girl
Fatima stated that both she and Imran belong to the same family and that their grandfather owned land in Azad Kashmir. She mentioned that Imran’s family has been in contact with her family through WhatsApp and social media. These interactions strengthened their bond, ultimately leading Fatima to cross the LoC with the intention of marriage.
Desire for Marriage and Refusal to Return
The girl explicitly declared that she does not wish to return to Indian-administered Kashmir. “Marrying Imran is the biggest dream of my life, and I stand firm on my decision,” she said.
Police Action
Following the incident, Azad Kashmir police detained the girl and Imran Mir, son of Alif Din, belonging to the Mir tribe. Both were transferred to the Kahuta police station, where investigations have begun. An FIR has been registered, and various aspects of the incident are being probed.
Role of Social Media
This incident highlights how social media can connect two individuals in today’s world. Fatima shared that it was through social media that their families, separated during the partition, reconnected.
Legal Implications
The crossing of the Line of Control has raised legal and diplomatic concerns. Authorities are working to determine whether this act was entirely voluntary or if other factors were involved.
This case presents a unique story of the ties between people from Azad Kashmir and Indian-administered Kashmir, who remain divided politically and geographically despite shared histories and familial bonds.
