Amidst ongoing tensions, a Border Security Force (BSF) soldier, Purnam Kumar Shaw, who had been in Pakistani custody since April 23, 2025, was handed back to India on Wednesday. The handover took place at approximately 10:30 am via the Joint Check Post at Attari, Amritsar. The BSF confirmed that the repatriation was conducted peacefully and in accordance with established protocols.
Shaw, a resident of West Bengal and a member of the 24th BSF Battalion, had inadvertently crossed the India-Pakistan international border in the Ferozepur sector of Punjab while on operational duty. The incident occurred a day after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which heightened tensions between the two countries. He was in uniform and carrying his service rifle when he crossed into Pakistan.
Immediately after Shaw went missing, the BSF contacted the Pakistan Rangers, who confirmed his detention. Following his detention, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed to the Central government to ensure his swift return. Shaw's father, Bholenath, expressed his relief upon receiving official confirmation of his son's release from the BSF Headquarters.
The BSF acknowledged the consistent efforts made through regular flag meetings and other communication channels with the Pakistan Rangers, which facilitated Shaw's repatriation. After his return, Shaw will undergo a complete medical examination, counselling, and a formal debriefing session by BSF officials regarding his 21-day detention in Pakistan. He will also be part of an official inquiry initiated by the Punjab frontier of the BSF to investigate the circumstances surrounding his detention and identify any procedural lapses. Shaw will not be immediately assigned to active duty.
In a reciprocal move, India also released a Pakistani Rangers trooper who had been in custody for nearly two weeks. The Pakistani Ranger had been apprehended by BSF personnel near the international border in Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar district. The exchange of the Pakistani ranger also took place at the Attari-Wagah border near Amritsar.
The mutual repatriation of border personnel is viewed as a positive gesture amid strained diplomatic relations and heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. These tensions were further fueled by the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and India's subsequent counter-terror operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor. A ceasefire agreement was announced last Saturday, with both sides agreeing to halt all military actions across land, air, and water.
