Wagah (Amritsar): Pakistan today (Aug 17, 2004) repatriated two Indian boys who had inadvertently crossed over from Jammu and Kashmir border in March this year.

Alamdin (14) and Shakeel Ahmed (12) were handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) at Joint Check Post (JCP) at the Wagah border this afternoon by Pakistan Rangers, who gifted them wrist watches as they walked to freedom.

Talking to the media persons, the boys, both hailing from Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, said they had strayed across the border while playing with friends in their school playground, which was hardly a few hundreds metres from the international border.

"We were immediately nabbed by the Pakistan authorities who tied a piece of cloth on our eyes and took us to an unidentified place. They asked whether we were sent by Indian intelligence agencies or crossed over by mistake," they said.

"Throughout the first month we were subjected to thorough interrogation and it was like a nightmare for us," they said.

Once it was confirmed that they had crossed over by mistake, the duo said they were treated well and served good food and accommodation.

BSF commandant Pardeep Katyal, who received the boys, said Pakistan Rangers informed them about repatriation only today and so parents of both the children could not reach Amritsar from Kupwara district to receive their children.

BSF officials said the boys would shortly be sent to their home.