BSF jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw, who had been in the custody of Pakistan Rangers for nearly three weeks, was handed back to Indian authorities on Wednesday morning. The repatriation took place at 10:30 am at the Joint Check Post in Attari, Amritsar, and was carried out smoothly, following established protocols, as confirmed by the Border Security Force (Punjab Frontier) in an official statement.
Peaceful Repatriation After 21 Days
Inspector General (IG), Punjab Frontier BSF, Atul Fulzele, stated that Shaw, detained by Pakistan Rangers since April 23, 2025, was returned to India at around 10:30 am through the designated border point at Attari.
“The handover was conducted peacefully and in accordance with established protocols,” he added.
Shaw, part of the BSF’s 182nd Battalion stationed along the international border in Punjab, had inadvertently crossed into Pakistani territory with his service weapon on April 23. He was detained just a day after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. His return came on the fourth day of a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, which came into effect on May 10.
Talks Halted After "Operation Sindoor"
Efforts to bring Shaw back began early on, during initial flag meetings between Indian and Pakistani forces. However, these talks were disrupted just days before India launched retaliatory strikes on terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam attack. The growing tension had cast a shadow over Shaw’s fate, leaving his family consumed with anxiety, fearing that diplomatic efforts might collapse.
Relief to Shaw's family
For 21 long days, Shaw’s loved ones and community lived in uncertainty. But on Wednesday, that cloud of worry finally lifted. Relief and joy swept through his family and hometown as news broke that he had returned safely to Indian soil.
No Signs of abuse or injury
A BSF official clarified that Shaw bore no signs of torture or visible injury. Following his return, he was taken for a routine medical examination and a formal debriefing. According to BSF sources, in normal circumstances, such a repatriation would have occurred on the same day or the next. But heightened border tensions after the Pahalgam attack delayed the process and stalled flag-level communication.
A part of the BSF's 182 Battalion
Shaw is a part of the BSF's 182 battalion along the Punjab border, and the Punjab Frontier of the BSF is tasked with securing the 553 km-long Indo-Pak border in the state, which includes 518 km of land border and 33 km of riverine terrain. The area is guarded by various BSF battalions, a water wing unit, artillery, and other support systems to prevent infiltration, smuggling, and narcotics trafficking.
About the Author
Arpit Sharma is a journalism student at Chandigarh University, with a passion for reporting stories that matter. Focused on national security, current affairs, and public awareness, he aims to bring clarity and depth to complex issues.
Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Vygr's views.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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