Love Across Borders: Woman from Jammu and Kashmir Arrested After Crossing LoC to Marry Lover

In a poignant tale of love transcending borders, a 28-year-old woman from Kerni village in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, has been arrested in Pakistan-administered Kashmir after crossing the Line of Control (LoC) without proper documentation.

The woman, identified as Fatima, reportedly crossed the heavily militarized border on November 24 to marry her lover, Imran, a resident of the Kerni area on the other side of the LoC. Imran, who works abroad, is said to have been in regular contact with Fatima through her brother. Their bond, nurtured over phone conversations, culminated in Fatima’s bold decision to cross the LoC.

However, the act resulted in swift action from local authorities in Haveli, Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Following her arrival, the police raided Imran’s home and arrested both Fatima and Imran. An FIR was lodged against Imran, accusing him of persuading Fatima to cross the border illegally and pressuring her into marriage against her family’s consent.

Imran’s family has since approached local officials, pleading for the release of both individuals. Meanwhile, the incident has stirred conversations about the human cost of political and geographic divisions in the region.

This case draws parallels with a similar incident in 2023 when an Indian woman named Anju traveled to Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to marry her friend Nasrullah, capturing media attention on both sides of the border.

Fatima’s village of Kerni, situated close to the LoC, has a history of border crossings, often highlighting the complex realities of life in a region divided by tense political boundaries. In October 2023, a 17-year-old mentally challenged boy named Irshad Ahmad was handed over to Pakistani authorities after he was found attempting to cross into the Kerni sector.

Authorities on both sides of the LoC continue to grapple with such incidents, which underscore the deeply human and personal struggles faced by residents living in this politically sensitive area.