Rangers hand over BSF trooper, India lets Pak soldier go home
File photo
AMRITSAR/NEW DELHI: A BSF constable held for 22 days in Pakistan after inadvertantly crossing the Punjab border was released Wednesday morning, drawing emotional scenes in his Bengal hometown.
Purnam Kumar Shaw
, 40, was handed over by
Pakistan Rangers
to BSF officers at
Attari-Wagah border
near Amritsar around 10.30am, concluding days of tense diplomatic and military manoeuvring between India and Pakistan amid
Operation Sindoor
.
Shaw's wife Rajni, who is in advanced pregnancy, said: 'Every citizen prayed for my sindoor,' thanking PM Narendra Modi and Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.
Officials said Shaw, part of BSF's 182 Battalion, was in uniform and carrying his rifle when he crossed into Pakistani territory in Ferozepur on April 23 while on operational duty. 'He was received in accordance with established protocols. He appeared safe and healthy,' said Dr Atul Fulzele, IF of BSF's Punjab frontier. A medical check-up and debriefing followed.
Shaw's crossing came a day after the Pahalgam terrorist strike that claimed 26 men, mostly tourists, and heightened tensions across the border. India responded with precision strikes on terrorist and military targets in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.
Pakistani Rangers had released photos showing Shaw blindfolded and disoriented. BSF initially shared an image of Shaw with a beard, later issuing one where he appeared clean-shaven and in fresh clothes.
Efforts to secure his release included multiple flag meetings and diplomatic outreach. Sources said a final meeting between BSF and Pakistani Rangers commandants paved the way for Wednesday's handover. BSF attributed Shaw's return to 'consistent efforts through communication channels'.
In a parallel and unacknowledged move, a Pakistani soldier who had crossed into Rajasthan on May 4 walked back across Wagah the same morning.
In Rishra of Bengal's Hooghly district, Shaw's family broke down in joy. 'We cannot even imagine what he faced, but he will serve the country again,' said his father Bholanath Shaw. His mother Devanti Devi handed out sweets.
Shaw's wife recounted the anxiety that gripped the family. 'I ran from pillar to post. I feared war would break out and we'd lose him,' she said. Rajni had even visited BSF officers near the border for updates. CM Banerjee later phoned Rajni and confirmed that talks at DGMO-level had included her husband's case.
After BSF's press release confirmed his return, Rajni received a brief call from Shaw. 'Main bol raha hoon,' he said. Unsure at first, she asked, 'Aap PK Sir hain?' before recognising his voice.
The couple's young son Aarav looked up at a kite kept on top of a cupboard. 'We flew it during Holi when papa was home. We'll fly it again together,' he said.
(Inputs from Rohit Khanna & Falguni Banerjee in Rishra)
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