A 36-year-old man from Jammu and Kashmir was detained by the Gujarat police after he attempted to cross the border into Pakistan in order to meet a woman he had connected with on social media. The man, identified as Imtiyaz Sheikh, a resident of Bandipora district, travelled to the Kutch region of Gujarat under the belief that he could enter Pakistan legally from there.
Journey Motivated by Online Connection
Sheikh’s journey to Kutch was driven by his desire to meet a Pakistani social media influencer from Multan, with whom he had been communicating online. According to authorities, Sheikh thought he could cross the border legally and sought assistance from local residents to gain official permission to enter Pakistan.
“Sheikh reached Khavda, hoping to cross the border and enter Pakistan to meet a woman he met online. He was under the impression that he could cross into Pakistan from this border. We detained him after he arrived in Khavda on Tuesday,” stated Kutch (West) Superintendent of Police, Sagar Bagmar.
No Threat Determined, Sheikh Released After Investigation
Upon detaining Sheikh, the police conducted a preliminary investigation, contacting his family and verifying facts with the local police in Jammu and Kashmir. After ensuring there was no threat, Sheikh was released later that evening.
“Sheikh appeared to be mentally unfit,” Bagmar added, explaining the unusual nature of the incident.
Google Maps Leads to Misguided Attempt
Inspector MB Chauhan explained that Sheikh’s attempt to cross the border stemmed from his search for a simpler route to meet the influencer. Travelling from Kashmir to Pakistan was not feasible for him, so he used Google Maps and concluded that Kutch was the best option for crossing the border.
“Sheikh was attracted to a social media influencer from Multan and decided to meet her. He used Google Maps to find the nearest route and assumed Kutch would be his best option,” said Chauhan.
Villagers Alert Authorities
Sheikh had sought help from villagers in Khavda to secure permission from authorities to enter Pakistan legally. However, locals alerted the police after realizing his intentions, leading to his detention at the police station.
Authorities confirmed that no charges were filed, and Sheikh was allowed to return home after the investigation.