BSF jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw, who was detained by Pakistan Rangers after inadvertently crossing the International Border in Punjab last month, was repatriated today through the Joint Check Post at Attari.
The Border Security Force (BSF) confirmed the handover in an official statement:
“Today BSF Jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw, who had been in the custody of Pakistan Rangers since April 23, 2025, was handed over to India at about 1030 hours through the Joint Check Post Attari, Amritsar. The handover was conducted peacefully and in accordance with established protocols.”
The 40-year-old soldier, posted in Firozpur, Punjab, had mistakenly crossed into Pakistan on April 23—just a day after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed 26 civilian lives. The heightened border tensions following the attack led to a delay in his return.
Originally from Hooghly district in West Bengal, Shaw has served with the BSF for 17 years. He was reportedly in full uniform and carrying his service weapon when the incident occurred. Due to the tense atmosphere, Pakistan had initially declined India’s requests for a flag meeting, a standard mechanism for resolving such issues.
An official earlier told ANI:
“Pakistan is not responding because of ongoing tension after the Pahalgam attack, but we have lodged our protest with the Pak Rangers and are making all efforts to bring back the jawan.”
The news of his return brought immense relief to his family. Shaw’s pregnant wife Rajani and their seven-year-old son had flown to Chandigarh shortly after his detention, seeking updates on rescue efforts. Expressing her gratitude, Rajani said:
“I thank everyone who supported me. The nation was with him. The Chief Minister called me several times and gave me hope. I am thankful to her.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had been in regular contact with Shaw’s family, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her joy:
“I am happy to receive the information that our Purnam Kumar Shaw, the BSF jawan, has been released. I had all along been in touch with his family and spoke thrice with his wife here at Rishra, Hugli. Today also I called her. All the very best wishes for my brother-like jawan, his entire family including his wife Rajni Shaw.”
The BSF guards the 3,323-km India-Pakistan border stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat. While accidental crossovers during patrols are not uncommon, they are typically resolved swiftly unless hampered by political or military tensions.
