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Time of India
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Best homecoming for BSF jawan Purnam Shaw in 17 yrs of service
Rishra: Homecoming for Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Purnam Shaw has never been this sweet. Literally so. Sweets have been pouring in from all quarters. His mother ensured her son's favourite rasgullas were there before he arrived in Rishra on Friday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now His sisters, who stay in Kharagpur and Durgapur and came to meet him, also brought packets of sweets. Several other relatives and even neighbours have dropped by to greet the man who acquired national fame after being held captive in Pakistan for a fortnight. Purnam strayed across the international border with Pakistan at Ferozepur on April 23 and remained in the custody of Pakistan Rangers until May 14, when he was repatriated to India. 'During the captivity, there were times when I doubted if I would ever be able to see my parents, wife, and son again. It was a fortnight, but to me, it seemed an eternity. Being a soldier, I will be back on duty as soon as I am summoned. But the experience of being behind enemy lines when the two countries were at war is something I will never forget," he told TOI after finishing lunch late on Saturday afternoon. Purnam returned to duty at Ferozepur barely two months ago and would have returned in Aug during the holy month of Sawan and the Rakhi festival had he not ventured into Pakistan last month. "When I was posted in Kashmir, we had to be very careful because crossing the line of control could mean being fired at. That is not so in Ferozepur. Here, there are posts at intervals to demarcate the international border. I was somewhere between two posts and still don't know how I managed to cross the line or what was going on in my mind that I did not realise I was trespassing," he said. But he is glad the nightmare is over and that he is now safely back home. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The welcome he has received has been overwhelming. "I have done duty at many challenging places in the past 17 years since I joined the BSF, including Guwahati, Tripura, Nagaland, and Manipur in the north-east, Malda in West Bengal, and Kashmir on the western front, and now Punjab. But this homecoming has been unlike any one I have had before," Purnam told TOI. Though it has been over 24 hours since he returned home, the constant stream of visitors and well-wishers has meant that he is yet to get time alone with his parents, wife, and son. But he does not mind the adulation, as he says it was everyone's prayers that enabled him to return home. When the excitement dies down and the spotlight shifts, Purnam wants to thank his wife Rajani for being so courageous during his ordeal and travelling to Pherozepur to meet his commanding officer and press for his release from Pakistan. "She is pregnant and has been advised rest. But she set out for a strange land in my search. I never knew she was this brave," remarked Purnam.
News18
23-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
BSF Jawan Purnam Shaw Finally Returns Home Days After He Was Detained By Pakistan Rangers
Last Updated: Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack and Operation Sindoor, diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan escalated, casting greater uncertainty over Purnam's release. Excitement filled the air after Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Purnam Shaw, who was detained by Pakistan, returned to his home in West Bengal's Hooghly district on Friday. Shaw accidentally crossed the international border and returned to his residence in Rishra, where everyone was overjoyed and emotional. He was warmly received by his father, Bholanath Shaw, who embraced his son amidst a large crowd in Howrah in the evening. Purnam was felicitated with a garland and then taken to Rishra in a car, before transferring to an open-top vehicle for the final stretch. A grand procession, led by a marching band, accompanied him to celebrate his homecoming. His home was decked out like a Diwali celebration, with electric lights and oil lamps illuminating the entire house. A sea of neighbours, relatives, and friends had gathered to warmly welcome him back. 'We are overjoyed. He has come back home exactly a month after detention. It's Diwali for us and we feel our Ram has returned," Purnam's wife Rajani Shaw was seen saying to the local media. She had been busy cooking her husband's favourite meal since morning. Amidst the ordeal, she had even travelled to Pathankot to push for his swift and safe return, and had personally spoken with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. Purnam had been escorting farmers near the border on April 23. Exhausted during duty, he reportedly fell asleep under a tree, without realising that he had entered Pakistani territory, where he was subsequently detained. However, due to the BSF's consistent efforts through regular flag meetings and communication with their counterparts on the other side, the Pakistan Rangers, the Indian soldier returned to his homeland on May 14. After being repatriated, Purnam underwent comprehensive medical checks to evaluate his physical and mental state and to document alleged abuse during his time in Pakistan. Nine days post-return, he finally reunited with his family at home. First Published: May 23, 2025, 22:54 IST
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
BSF Jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw, who was in custody of Pakistan Rangers arrives in Kolkata
ANI 23 May 2025, 20:58 GMT+10 Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], May 23 (ANI): BSF Jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw, who was in the custody of Pakistan Rangers since April 23 and was later repatriated to India on May 14, arrived in Kolkata on Friday. Purnam Kumar Shaw said, 'It's all your blessings that I am back in my country.' Purnam Kumar Shaw was part of the BSF's 'Kisan Guard' and was deployed to protect Indian farmers posted in Punjab's Firozpur when he crossed the border inadvertently on April 23. Earlier, the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari met with the family members of BSF Jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw. Adhikari had said, 'I am very happy that he is back safely. I have met his family. Our armed forces are safe under the leadership of PM Modi. This is what Jawan Purnam Shaw's wife and his father have also said. There are several protocols after which he will be back home. His mother has sugar, but now she is steady.' He further said that Constable Purnam Shaw's wife stated that every member of the Armed Forces are safe under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed happiness over the safe return of BSF jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw. She said that the Trinamool Congress government had made efforts for his safe return. Mamata Banerjee told reporters that they had been in touch with Purnam Shaw's wife Rajani Shaw throughout and spoke to her four-five times. 'Consistent efforts were made from our end. Our DGP was in continuous touch with his BSF counterpart. I told Rajani Shaw, the day before yesterday, that her husband was healthy and doing well. However, the modalities of his release operation would take some time. He was released. I am happy. His family is happy. The entire country is happy,' she said. (ANI)
News18
16-05-2025
- News18
Sleep Deprivation, No Bathroom Break: BSF Jawan Subjected To Mental Trauma In Pakistani Detention
Last Updated: Purnam Shaw, BSF jawan who returned to India this week after three weeks of Pakistani detention, has been suffering from mental trauma ever since his return, sources said. Ever since his return from Pakistan on May 14 after three weeks of detention, the Border Security Force jawan has been under trauma as he was subjected to mental torture during his captivity under Pakistan Rangers, government sources said on Friday. Purnam Kumar Shaw, BSF personnel who inadvertently crossed the international border on April 23 and was detained by Pak Rangers, walked free back to India on Wednesday. This came four days after India and Pakistan reached an 'understanding" to halt military operations along the International Border and Line of Control on May 10. According to sources, Shaw did not receive physical torture but was subjected to mental pressure in detention, such as denying bathroom breaks, sleep deprivation, among other inhuman acts. 'He was blindfolded on more than one occasion, and the fear of the unknown has also affected his mental health," sources said. He was also repeatedly questioned about sensitive details related to national security, such as the deployment of the BSF on the border. Sources said that his debriefing is still underway to bring him out of the mental trauma he became a victim of during those three weeks of captivity. The BSF held numerous rounds of negotiations with the Pakistan Rangers ahead of his release via the Attari-Wagah border at 10.30 am on Wednesday. The BSF officials were time and again given the same reply from Pakistan in every negotiation: 'We are waiting for directions from the higher-ups". 'Today BSF Jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw, who had been in the custody of Pakistan Rangers since 23 April 2025, was handed over to India at about 1030 hours through the Joint Check Post Attari, Amritsar. The handover was conducted peacefully and in accordance with established protocols," officials said that day shortly after he crossed the border to step back into India. His return raised cheers of happiness and sighs of relief in his family as they thanked the central and the West Bengal government for their efforts to safely bring him back to India. His father, Bholanath Shaw, said that he wants Purnam to work for the country again. 'I want him to work for the country only. He will again go back to protect our country," he said. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘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
