BSF Jawan Purnam Shaw Returns After 21 Days in Pak Custody
BSF Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw, who had been in Pakistan’s custody for 21 days after inadvertently crossing the international border, was repatriated to India on May 14. The handover took place at 10:30 am at the Attari-Wagah border, bringing relief to his family and colleagues after weeks of uncertainty.
Shaw, a 40-year-old resident of Hooghly in West Bengal, had reportedly crossed the border on April 23 during a routine operational duty in Punjab’s Ferozepur sector. His detention coincided with heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, especially in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
BSF Jawan Return
Following the incident, sustained diplomatic and military-level communications were initiated to secure his safe return. The Border Security Force confirmed the development, noting that regular flag meetings and communication through established military channels played a vital role in facilitating Shaw’s repatriation.
The jawan was received by Indian officials at the border, and preliminary medical checkups were conducted to assess his condition. Authorities stated that he is stable and will undergo further debriefing and medical evaluations before resuming duty.
Emotional Family Reunion
His family, who had been anxiously awaiting updates for three weeks, expressed overwhelming joy and relief. His wife, Rajani, tearfully said, “He brought back my suhag,” and thanked the government for ensuring his safe return. The emotional reunion marked a poignant moment, highlighting the human dimension behind cross-border incidents.
This episode not only emphasizes the risks faced by security personnel deployed along tense borders but also underscores the importance of maintaining open communication lines between neighboring countries for humanitarian cases. While geopolitical friction continues, such resolutions offer a rare glimpse of cooperation amid adversarial relations.
