BSF Jawan Purnam Shaw Returns Home After Being Held by Pakistan Rangers

New Delhi, May 14:Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Purnam Shaw, who was apprehended by the Pakistan Rangers on April 23, has finally returned to India, bringing relief to his family and the security forces. Shaw had inadvertently crossed the International Border in the Punjab sector during routine patrolling and was taken into custody by Pakistani forces.

The incident occurred in the Abohar sector when the jawan lost his way while performing his duties amid challenging terrain. While such crossings are rare, they do happen occasionally due to the lack of distinct markers along certain stretches of the border. Immediately after Shaw’s apprehension, the BSF initiated communication with the Pakistan Rangers through the established flag meeting mechanism, demanding his safe return.

Following diplomatic efforts and continuous coordination between Indian and Pakistani border forces, Purnam Shaw was handed over to Indian authorities at a border checkpoint on Tuesday. His return marks the end of a 21-day-long ordeal, during which Indian officials remained in constant touch with their Pakistani counterparts to ensure his safety and timely repatriation.

“BSF Constable Purnam Shaw, who had inadvertently crossed the border while on duty, has been safely repatriated. We thank the concerned authorities for facilitating the process,” said a BSF spokesperson. The official further confirmed that Shaw was in good health and would undergo a detailed medical examination followed by debriefing.

Shaw’s family, based in West Bengal, expressed immense joy and gratitude upon hearing of his safe return. “We were very worried but had faith that he would come back. We thank the government and BSF officials for bringing our son home,” said his father, overcome with emotion.

India and Pakistan share a long and sensitive border, and such incidents of unintentional crossing are usually resolved through mutual coordination. Both sides have mechanisms in place to deal with such situations humanely and quickly, though sometimes bureaucratic delays can prolong the process.

Defence experts noted that while such crossings do not generally carry hostile intent, they must be handled with urgency and care to avoid escalation or misinterpretation. “The return of a soldier who strays across the border is not just about diplomacy, but also about trust and maintaining peace between two adversarial neighbours,” said a retired Army officer.

The BSF has launched an internal inquiry to understand how the jawan crossed the border undetected and what safety protocols need to be reinforced to prevent such incidents in the future.

As Constable Shaw reunites with his unit and family, the episode stands as a reminder of the perils faced by security personnel guarding the nation’s borders under tough and unpredictable conditions.