Diplomatic win as Pak hands over BSF jawan after 21 days

In a diplomatic victory for India, Border Security Force (BSF) constable Purnam Kumar Shaw, who was detained by Pakistan Rangers on April 23 after inadvertently crossing the border, was released on Wednesday via the Attari border. His return comes just days after India launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation to the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent ceasefire declaration.

He’ll continue to serve nation: Kin

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A mix of emotions was witnessed at Shaw’s residence in Hooghly, West Bengal

His father Bhola Shaw expressed gratitude to the government and said his son must continue to protect his country

Shaw’s wife Rajni said she was thankful to WB CM and PM Modi for securing her husband’s release

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Shaw, who spent three weeks in Pakistani custody, was reportedly freed following intense negotiations during the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks held on May 12. Initially, flag meetings between BSF and Pakistan Rangers were held regularly to secure his release, but after Operation Sindoor, direct interaction was halted, prompting discussions through alternative channels.

Official sources confirmed that the constable was handed over to the Indian authorities around 10.30 am. A BSF spokesperson said Shaw was handed over peacefully and in accordance with established protocols.

The BSF too released a Pakistan Ranger, Mohammad Abdullah, who was caught in Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar on May 3. A BSF official has confirmed this while wishing anonymity. He was also handed over to Pakistan Rangers through the Attari border.

The Tribune had earlier reported that his case was raised during the DGMO talks, given the strained physical engagement between the two forces following Operation Sindoor. Shaw, deployed as a “kisan guard” near the Jalloke border outpost in Ferozepur sector, had accidentally crossed over to the Pakistani territory. Farmers in the area often cultivate land beyond the barbed fence, installed 500 metres to several kms inside the International Border to curb smuggling. To ensure their safety, BSF personnel are stationed on “kisan guard” duty.

Sources indicate that Shaw was part of an advance team from the BSF’s 182 Battalion, which had recently replaced another unit in the area. Unfamiliar with the terrain, he inadvertently strayed across the border.

Following his 21-day captivity in Pakistan, the constable underwent a medical examination to assess his physical and mental well-being. Officials stated that he would also receive counselling as part of the reintegration process.