‘Can't believe it': Bengal family celebrates as Pakistan hands over BSF jawan Purnam Shaw to India
Amid the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, a wave of immense relief swept through the family of BSF jawan Purnam Shaw. On Tuesday morning, Bholenath Shaw, Purnam's father, received official confirmation from BSF Headquarters that his son had been released by Pakistan the previous evening at 7:30 PM.
'I couldn't believe it,' Bholenath told The Indian Express over the phone from his residence in Rishra, Hooghly. 'I want to thank the Indian Government, our Chief Minister, state leaders, and God for his release.'
Purnam Shaw returned to India through the Attari-Wagah border on Wednesday evening. His father said Purnam is currently undergoing medical examinations and will be debriefed about his time in Pakistan before finally returning home to reunite with his family. 'I'm all set to distribute sweets after this great news,' he added, jubilant.
This development comes after weeks of anxiety for the Shaw family. Purnam, a BSF constable from Rishra, had been taken into custody by Pakistan Rangers on April 23 after inadvertently crossing the international border in Punjab's Ferozepur district. His crossing came just a day after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which had escalated border tensions.
'Today at 10:30 am, Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw was received from Pakistan by the BSF at the Attari-Wagah border. He had inadvertently crossed into Pakistani territory while on operational duty in the Ferozepur sector on April 23, 2025, at around 11:50 am and was detained by Pakistan Rangers. His repatriation was made possible through persistent efforts by BSF, including regular flag meetings and communication with Pakistan Rangers,' read an official BSF statement.
Earlier, Purnam's wife Rajani Shaw, who is pregnant, expressed her gratitude after receiving a call on Sunday from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. 'I'm extremely thankful to our Chief Minister, who personally called and spoke to me in detail. She said she had spoken with senior BSF officials and confirmed that my husband is in good health. That assurance was a great relief,' Rajani told The Indian Express.
She also spoke of her earlier despair: 'I had lost all hope,' she said, explaining her fear for her husband's safety in a country with which India shares a tense relationship. However, Saturday's ceasefire announcement had offered a glimmer of hope, renewing her faith in his safe return.
Kalyan Banerjee, TMC MP from the Serampore constituency, had been actively pushing for Purnam's release, urging immediate government intervention. He contacted the BSF Director General and even reached out to the Prime Minister's Office to expedite the process.
'The news of Purnam Shaw's release ends a period of intense worry for the family. We are grateful for the diplomatic efforts and the recent ceasefire that facilitated his safe return. We eagerly await his arrival home,' said another family member.
BJP state President Sukanta Majumdar posted on X: 'A heartfelt thank you to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for once again proving that under your strong and decisive leadership, no Indian is ever left behind. Today, the safe return of BSF jawan Shri Purnam Kumar Shaw, who was in Pakistan's custody since April 23, is not just a moment of relief—it's a victory of India's resolve, diplomacy, and pride…'
Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics.
With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences.
Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More
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