Tangdhar (J&K): Ill treatment has forced six Kashmiri youth who were taken to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for arms training by militants to return to Jammu and Kashmir.

The youth were arrested by Army troops while crossing the line of control (LoC) in this sector on October 22, a defence spokesman told visiting reporters.

He said the arrests were made following intelligence reports with Army and Jammu and Kashmir police.

He identified the arrested youth as Mehrajuddin Pari (16), resident of Sumbal village of Baramulla, Zahir (23) and Mohammad Akram (20), both residents of Taad village of Tangdhar in Kupwara, Fayaz Ahmad Lone (21) of Lolhar in Pulwama, Abdul Majid (20) and Mehrajuddin (20), both residents of Yarbuk- Sopore in Baramulla.

The spokesman said preliminary reports reveal that these youth were forced to cross over to PoK by the militants during August and September 2003 with lots of promises.

"However, on reaching PoK, none of the promises were fulfilled, instead we were ill treated forcing us to return to Kashmir," one of the youth told reporters.

"We are innocents as we were pressurised by the militant commanders to join their ranks against our wishes," he said.

Zahir said, "We were saved by those against whom we had been forced to take up arms.

"We were promised that our families would be looked after well after our joining militant ranks and would be given hefty amounts on reaching PoK, but the dreams remained unfulfilled," he said.

Mohammad Akram said they were herded to PoK by the militants without food or water. "We were travelling during night to escape the watchful eyes of the security forces."

The youngest among them, Mehrajuddin said, "Army treated them well after being captured. We were given food and warm clothes by the troops."

"During our stay in the PoK, we were not allowed to move by the trainers. They were very strict and were abusing us all the time, as we were not showing interest in the training," he said.

Asked if they offered resistance while being taken to PoK, the youth said, "The militants threatened to kill our families if we do not obey their orders."

They said they did not get any opportunity to escape, as "the armed militants were always maintaining watch on our activities during the day when there was no movement allowed.

"We got an opportunity and availed it to return to Kashmir," Fayaz Ahmad Lone said.

The youth were homesick and wanted to join their families as early as possible. "We want to see our families," they said.

PTI