Around 117 Kashmiri youths, who had gone to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for receiving arms training, have returned here via Nepal and other routes. The officials said since 2010, 117 Kashmiris had returned to here from Pakistan and the PoK to lead normal life. Jammu and Kashmir government in consultation with the home ministry has approved a policy in 2010 to allow the return of Kashmiri youths, who had crossed over to PoK for receiving arms training but have not indulged in militant activities.

The policy was formulated after the Kashmiri youths in the PoK, majority of them married to local and Pakistani girls there expressed their desire to return back to their homes and lead a normal and peaceful life.

Officials said only those Kashmiris whose name has been cleared by different intelligence agencies that they had never indulged in militant activities were allowed to return.

Majority of them have returned via Nepal, travelling on Pakistan passport. However, some returned after crossing the Line of Control (LoC) but surrendered before security forces and police immediately after entering on this side of the border.

The officials said that 34 of them returned here along with their families, including Pakistan or PoK resident wives and children.

More Kashmiri still in the PoK have also expressed their desire to return back, they said.