BSF jawan returns from Pakistan custody; family expresses relief

The constable, who hails from Rishra in West Bengal’s Hooghly district, was handed over to the BSF by Pakistan Rangers at 10:30 am via the Attari-Wagah border front in Punjab.

Rishra: Twenty-one days after he was apprehended by the Pakistan Rangers from along the International Border between the two countries in Punjab, Pakistan on Wednesday handed over BSF personnel Purnam Kumar Shaw to India after a series of flag meetings between the two border guarding forces and through other communication channels.

Constable Shaw was handed over to the BSF at 10:30 am at Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar district, BSF said in a statement. He had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan territory at 11:50 am on April 23 while on operational duty in Ferozepur and detained by Pak Rangers, a day after the Pahalgam terror strike.

"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," the statement said. His release came four days after India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire.

An image showed a bearded Shaw with ruffled hair, and wearing a dark green round-neck T-shirt.

Shaw, who hail from Hooghly in West Bengal, was part of 'Kisan Guard' that was deployed for protection of Indian farmers, who till their land ahead of the fence. He "mis-calculated" the alignment of the IB and stepped to rest under a nearby tree from where he was apprehended by the Rangers.

He will undergo a full body check-up and medical test followed by a counselling and 'debriefing' session where he will be asked "relevant questions" about his 21-day detention in Pakistan, officials said. Shaw, who will not be immediately put on active duty, will be part of an official inquiry to look into the sequence of his apprehension by the Rangers and find lapses, if any, they said.

Rajani, Shaw's wife who had travelled to Pathankot and Ferozepur earlier to meet BSF officials to seek their help for his release, said she spoke to her husband after his release and he is physically fit.

"In the morning, the Commanding Officer called us and told us he has reached India. I also spoke to my husband over video call. He is physically fit and fresh. He told me that there is no need to be tensed," she said in Hooghly's Rishra.

The Trinamool Congress welcomed his return and said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had personally reached out to Shaw’s wife multiple times during the period of his custody.

“Home at last. After days of anxiety and uncertainty, BSF Jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw has finally been repatriated. Smt @MamataOfficial personally reached out to his wife multiple times, offering reassurance and support during the ordeal. We wish Purnam a full recovery from the trauma he endured and hope he finds peace in the embrace of his loved ones,” Trinamol posted on X.

West Bengal BJP president and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar said, "a heartfelt thank you to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-ji for once again proving that under your strong and decisive leadership, no Indian is ever left behind. Today, the safe return of BSF jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw, who was in Pakistan's custody since April 23, is not just a moment of relief -- it's a victory of India's resolve, diplomacy, and national pride.”

With PTI inputs