BSF Constable Repatriated from Pakistan Following Cross-Border Detention
Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw of the Border Security Force (BSF), who had been held in Pakistani custody since 23 April, was handed back to Indian authorities on Wednesday morning, according to a formal statement issued by the BSF.
"Today, at 1030 hours, Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw was received from Pakistan by BSF personnel at the Attari-Wagah border. This repatriation was made possible due to persistent efforts by the BSF, including regular flag meetings with the Pakistan Rangers and ongoing communication through established channels," the spokesperson stated.
Shaw&rsquo;s father, Bhola Nath Shaw&mdash;a retired banking official&mdash;expressed relief upon receiving news of his son&rsquo;s imminent return. "Last night, some senior officers contacted us and informed us about the development. They told us he was to be released, though we await official confirmation," he said.
Shaw, aged 40 and posted in Firozpur, Punjab, inadvertently crossed into Pakistani territory on 23 April while on duty along the Indo-Pakistan border. The incident occurred just a day after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians and sharply escalated tensions along the border.
Initially, both BSF and Pakistan Rangers convened for flag meetings to address Shaw&rsquo;s situation. However, as intermittent cross-border firing flared up across multiple sectors, diplomatic and operational communications came to a halt, further complicating repatriation efforts.
The successful return of Constable Shaw underlines the fragile nature of border protocols and the humanitarian necessity for consistent communication&mdash;even amid escalating military hostilities.

Constable Shaw's return follows tense diplomacy and border firing after deadly Kashmir attack.

BSF Constable Returned by Pakistan After 18 Days

Constable Shaw's return follows tense diplomacy and border firing after deadly Kashmir attack.

May 14, 2025 | 13:45 IST