BSF constable’s release taken up at India-Pak DGMO-level talks
While the ceasefire between India and Pakistan has been announced, the fate of BSF constable Purnam Kumar, who had been captured by Pakistan Rangers after he had accidentally crossed into Pakistani territory on April 23, continues to hang in the balance.
According to BSF officials, though physical interaction with Pakistan Rangers is off the radar for now in the aftermath of India’s Operation Sindoor offensive, the issue of Kumar’s release is said to have been taken up during the DGMO-level talks between the two countries which were held today.
Kumar’s family, including his wife, had met BSF officials in Punjab last month and they had been given assurance that discussion with Pakistan Rangers was being held regarding his release.
Though BSF had not received any assurance from Pakistan Rangers regarding the constable’s release during the talks held last month, even now — with the completely changed scenario in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor — the border guarding force is “optimistic” about securing his release.
“Person-to-person contact is currently not possible as of now. But the issue is to be taken up during DGMO-level talks between the two countries,” a senior BSF official said.
Kumar had been captured by Pakistan Rangers on April 23, a day after the Pahalgam terror attack, and negotiations between BSF and Pakistan Rangers at the commander level had been taking place on a regular basis till Operation Sindoor was launched by Indian forces in response to the Pahalgam attack.
