Amritsar (National Times): After nearly three weeks in custody, Pakistan Rangers handed over Indian BSF jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw at the Attari-Wagah checkpost on Wednesday, bringing an end to a cross-border standoff triggered by a routine patrol gone wrong.
Shaw, who was posted to the border area just days earlier, crossed the international boundary inadvertently while supervising farmers harvesting wheat in a field near the border fence. Officials said Shaw was newly posted to the region and unfamiliar with the terrain, a factor that may have led to the accidental incursion.
The incident occurred on April 23, just a day after the Pahalgam terror attack, further complicating diplomatic exchanges. Despite efforts by Indian authorities and two unsuccessful flag meetings, Pakistan Rangers had remained unresponsive until now.
The BSF confirmed that Shaw was returned at 10:30 AM and that the handover was carried out “in accordance with established protocol.”
The handover is being seen as a diplomatic success, though officials maintain that better coordination mechanisms need to be in place to avoid such prolonged detentions over accidental crossings.
“We’re relieved that our jawan is safe and back on Indian soil. But this highlights the need for more streamlined communication channels at the border,” said a senior official from the BSF’s Punjab Frontier.
Shaw is expected to be reunited with his family in West Bengal soon, following medical and administrative procedures.
