Pakistan govt hands over BSF jawan Purnam Shaw to India after 21 days

BSF constable Shaw. Pic Credits/ PTI

The Pakistan government has repatriated India's Border Security Force Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw amid the India-Pakistan tensions. Reportedly, BSF Constable Purnam Shaw was detained on April 23, 2025, and was repatriated on Wednesday. The release of BSF Constable is surely a huge diplomatic win for India. PK Shaw, the BSF ranger, had accidentally crossed the border during his duty on April 23. Since then, Shaw has been in the custody of the Pakistan Rangers, as informed by a statement from the Public Relations Officer of the Punjab Frontier, Border Security Force.

As per the BSF statement, "Today at 1030 hrs Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw has been taken back from Pakistan by the BSF at Attari - Wagha border. Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistani territory while on operational duty in the area of the Ferozepur sector on 23rd April 2025 around 1150 hrs and was detained by Pak Rangers. 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," reported ANI.

On April 23, Pakistan Rangers detained the BSF trooper after he unintentionally crossed the international border near Firozpur, Punjab. According to earlier reports by ANI, the trooper mistakenly entered Pakistani territory. The BSF had given a strong directive to its men to remain attentive and observant during border patrol operations.

The BSF is the major force in charge of protecting India's 3,323-kilometer-long border with Pakistan, which runs through the states of Jammu and Kashmir (including parts of the LoC), Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. This particular region of Punjab is one of the most sensitive parts in the country, owing to historical hostilities, current India-Pakistan situations and continuing security concerns.

Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, had earlier, on May 5, also voiced her concern about one of the BSF constables from Hooghly who has been detained by the Pakistani Rangers. She also stated that Kalyan Banerjee, who is the leader of the Trinamool Congress, has been in contact with the family members.

Furthermore, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while addressing the issue of the detainment of Hooghly's BSF ranger, also expressed that "This is an extremely sad situation. His name is Sahu. Our party's Kalyan Banerjee is in touch with the family members. I want him to be rescued as soon as possible. We have clearly said that our party is with the government on the issues of internal and external security. We are not doing divide and rule here."

(With ANI Inputs)