The man, identified by officials as Zeeshan Mir from Muzaffarabad, was intercepted by Indian Army personnel after crossing the de facto border and was subsequently handed over to police for further investigation and legal proceedings.

According to officials familiar with the inquiry, preliminary questioning indicated that Mir had been facing personal and financial difficulties and had reportedly been under pressure from family members to contribute financially to his household. Investigators said he appeared distressed during questioning and claimed to have been struggling with depression.

Officials said Mir had established contact through Snapchat with Irum Bano, a resident of Tulwari village in Uri, and that the two gradually developed a close relationship through online interactions.

Investigators said the connection deepened after they discovered family links to the same border village, with Mir allegedly tracing his ancestral roots to the area where Bano currently resides.

According to officials, Mir shared details of his personal circumstances with Bano and discussed the possibility of building a future in Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities are examining claims that the pair discussed a plan under which Mir would cross the LoC, surrender to security forces and pursue legal avenues to remain in the region after completing any legal process related to his entry.

Officials said Mir allegedly believed he could later seek to reclaim ancestral property and settle in the area permanently.

The plan came to an end shortly after his crossing when Army personnel intercepted him before he could travel further inland.

Following Mir’s detention, authorities also questioned Bano to verify elements of his account. During the interaction, she reportedly appealed for leniency and requested that he not be deported, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Security agencies said they are continuing to verify the claims made by both individuals and are investigating all possible aspects of the case, including whether any external influence, coercion or other factors may have been involved.

In a statement posted on X, the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps confirmed the apprehension and said troops exercised restraint during the operation.

“A POJK intruder has been apprehended, who was intercepted by alert Chinar Warriors while crossing the Line of Control in Uri Sector. The vigilant troops maintained restraint while challenging the intruder and surgically apprehended the individual,” the Army said, adding that he had been handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir Police for legal proceedings.

The incident highlights the enduring social and family ties that continue to link communities divided by the Line of Control. Families in several frontier districts maintain relatives across the divide, and cross-border marriages have historically been common despite decades of political and military tensions between India and Pakistan.

Officials said the investigation remains ongoing and no final conclusions have been reached regarding the circumstances behind Mir’s crossing.