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Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Ceasefire spurs hopes of BSF constable's release from Pak custody
The ceasefire between India and Pakistan has raised the hopes of Border Security Force (BSF) constable Purnam Kumar Shaw's release from Pakistan custody. Shaw, 40, deployed with the 24th Battalion in Ferozepur sector had inadvertently crossed the international border on April 23 and was subsequently taken into custody by Pakistan Rangers. He was part of a 'kisan guard' team assigned to protect farmers working near the border fence. In a telephonic conversation with Hindustan Times on Sunday evening, Rajani, Shaw's wife, expressed cautious optimism regarding her husband's return amid ongoing diplomatic efforts. 'Today, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee called me and said that the issue of my husband's release will be part of the agenda in discussions between India and Pakistan on Monday. I have high hopes that he will return soon in exchange for the Pakistani Ranger currently in BSF custody in Rajasthan,' she said. Shaw hails from Rishra in Hooghly district of West Bengal. She further confirmed that authorities have informed her that her husband is safe, in good health, and has not been mistreated during his time in Pakistani custody. 'A week has passed since the BSF apprehended a Pakistani Ranger from Indian territory near the Indo-Pak border in Rajasthan. However, Pakistan has neither requested a flag meeting nor sought his release. With the ceasefire now in effect, we hope positive developments will follow soon,' said a senior BSF official privy to the matter, on condition of anonymity. He added, 'Such inadvertent crossings have occurred in the past and were usually resolved quickly. But the situation is different this time due to heightened tensions following the recent terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. Pakistan has remained silent despite three flag meetings held so far.'
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Time of India
Pakistani trooper crosses over to Indian side, gets arrested by BSF
JAISALMER: A Pakistan Rangers trooper was apprehended by BSF personnel at the international border near Sriganganagar on Saturday morning. Official sources said the trooper had entered Indian territory near the international boundary at Raisinghnagar and was arrested by BSF personnel on the Indian side of the barbed wire fencing. Following the incident, security at the international border was heightened, with BSF personnel in a state of preparedness to respond decisively to any development from the Pakistan side. Sources said the captured Pakistan Rangers trooper, reportedly stationed in Bahawalnagar region, is a resident of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. He is undergoing intense interrogation by the Indian security forces. Saturday's arrest follows an incident about 10 days ago when Pakistan detained BSF soldier PK Singh of the 24th Battalion, stationed near the international border at Amritsar, several flag meetings between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers, the BSF soldier was not repatriated by Pakistan. The reason for the Pakistan Rangers trooper's intrusion remains unclear.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Time of India
Pak trooper held at Sriganganagar border by BSF
Jaisalmer: A trooper was apprehended by personnel at the international border near Sriganganagar on Saturday morning. Official sources said the trooper had entered Indian territory near the international boundary at Raisinghnagar and was arrested by BSF personnel on the Indian side of the barbed wire fencing. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Pakistan confirmed the arrest but called it as an abduction by Indian forces. Following the incident, security at the international border was heightened, with BSF personnel in a state of preparedness to respond decisively to any development from the Pakistan side. Sources said the captured Pakistan Rangers trooper, reportedly stationed in Bahawalnagar region, is a resident of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. He is undergoing intense interrogation by the Indian security forces. Saturday's arrest follows an incident about 10 days ago when Pakistan detained BSF soldier PK Singh of the 24th Battalion, stationed near the international border at Amritsar, Punjab. Despite several flag meetings between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers, the BSF soldier was not repatriated by Pakistan. The reason for the Pakistan Rangers trooper's intrusion remains unclear. The BSF Rajasthan Frontier has not issued a statement on the trooper's arrest.
Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Indian Express
‘We want his safe return': Bengal family's plea after Pakistan detains BSF jawan
Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw, a head constable with the Border Security Force (BSF) from Hooghly, West Bengal, was detained by Pakistan rangers. Shaw reportedly inadvertently crossed the border on Wednesday near Ferozepur, amidst the ongoing India-Pakistan standoff after an attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam. 'We have been told that release talks are on. The Central government and state government are making all efforts. We are hopeful of his safe return,' said his brother, Rajeshwar Pandey. The Constable's wife, Rajni Shaw, a resident of the Aown road in Rishra, tearfully appealed to the government for her husband's swift release. 'His friend had called. He said that my husband has been kidnapped by the Pakistan side while he was on duty. They have arrested him. I spoke to him on Tuesday for the last time. For 17 years, he has been in service. I want his safe and early release,' she pleaded. The couple has a seven-year-old child. According to Rajeshwar Pandey, the incident occurred on Wednesday. 'His friend said he was on duty and was not feeling well, so he thought to sit under a tree to take rest, and he dozed off. At that moment, Pakistani rangers came, took his arms and took him away. We called the BSF office and they assured us that efforts are on to release him. He was a part of the 24th Battalion,' Pandey stated. Family members of constable Purnam Kumar Shaw at their house in Rishra, Hoogly district. (Express Photo) Rajni Shaw recounted her last conversation with her husband. 'I last spoke to him on Tuesday at 1 am, and on Wednesday around 6 am he was detained by Pakistani rangers. I appeal to our Indian government to bring him back safely,' she said, her voice filled with emotion. Expressing his concern, Shaw's nephew, Rahul Shaw, questioned the circumstances of his crossing the border while speaking to The Indian Express. 'He has been on duty for 17 years, is it believable that he will go on their side? We are worried now that the Pahalgam incident has happened, we don't know what is happening inside, we just want his safe return,' he said. The recent militant attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in casualties, has heightened the family's anxiety regarding Constable Shaw's safety while in Pakistani custody. Following the militant attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, India has taken a series of strong diplomatic and strategic steps against Pakistan's over 'cross-border linkages' to the Pahalgam attack.
