BSF Jawan Detained by Pakistan Rangers on April 23 Returns to India

Border Security Force (BSF) constable Purnam Kumar Shaw, who had been in Pakistani custody since April 23, was repatriated to India on Wednesday morning, according to an official statement from the BSF.

“Today at 1030 hours, Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw has been taken back from Pakistan by BSF at Attari-Wagah border. With the consistent efforts of BSF through regular flag meetings with Pakistan Rangers and through other communication channels, the repatriation of BSF Constable has become possible,” a spokesperson said.

BSF jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw was detained by Pakistan Rangers on April 23.(HT Photo)

Bhola Nath Shaw, Shaw's father and a retired bank employee, mentioned that “Last night, some senior officers called us informing about the development. They told us he was set to be released. We are yet to be informed officially.”

Shaw was detained by Pakistan Rangers on the afternoon of April 23 after inadvertently crossing into Pakistan's territory while performing his duties at the Indo-Pakistan border in Punjab.

Initially, personnel from Pakistan Rangers and Border Security Force (BSF) officers held flag meetings at the border. However, as the forces engaged in cross-border firing at various points, communication between them ceased at all levels.

Shaw, who had recently been assigned to the Indo-Punjab border in Ferozepur district, mistakenly crossed the border while assisting local farmers working near the zero line on Wednesday. He was subsequently taken by the Pakistan border guarding force.

Shaw, a resident of Hooghly, West Bengal, had been posted with an ad-hoc team at the Indo-Punjab border since April 10. At the time of the incident, he was in uniform and on duty when he inadvertently crossed into Pakistan.

(Source: Hindustan Times, India Today)