NEW DELHI: The BSF was on Wednesday handed back its jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw , by Pakistani Rangers at the Attari-Wagah border , bringing to an end his 22-day custody in Pakistan.
Shaw had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan territory at 11.50 AM on April 23 while on operational duty in Ferozepur, Punjab and was detained by Pakistan Rangers.
The timing was significant as it came a day after a group of terrorists, including two Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, killed 26 innocent civilians in Pahalgam. The hostile act had heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, prompting New Delhi to weigh all retaliatory options including military action.
Finally, on May 7, India hit back with precision strikes on 9 terror facilities inside Pakistan, and over the next couple of days, also raided military facilities including in Lahore and Karachi in response to escalation by Pakistani troops.
Sources said different communication channels were opened with the Pakistani authorities, including at the diplomatic level, to get Sahu freed. Coupled with the series of flag meetings held at different levels, including the final one between the commandants of BSF and Pakistani Rangers, Shaw’s repatriation finally came through on Wednesday. He finally walked free from Wagah into Attari at 10.30 AM, looking safe and healthy.
BSF in its statement on Wednesday attributed Shaw’s repatriation to consistent efforts of the force through regular flag meetings with Pakistan Rangers and other communication channels.
Interestingly, the BSF too had taken a Pakistan Rangers personnel into custody after he crossed over to Rajasthan on May 4. This was, however, never acknowledged officially by BSF.
On Wednesday, the Pakistani ranger was reportedly allowed to walk back into Wagah, just as Shaw crossed over to Attari.
Shaw was in his uniform and carrying his service rifle when he crossed into Pakistan. The 40-year-old has serving the BSF for 17 years now. He is from West Bengal's Hooghly district.
Shaw had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan territory at 11.50 AM on April 23 while on operational duty in Ferozepur, Punjab and was detained by Pakistan Rangers.
The timing was significant as it came a day after a group of terrorists, including two Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, killed 26 innocent civilians in Pahalgam. The hostile act had heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, prompting New Delhi to weigh all retaliatory options including military action.
Finally, on May 7, India hit back with precision strikes on 9 terror facilities inside Pakistan, and over the next couple of days, also raided military facilities including in Lahore and Karachi in response to escalation by Pakistani troops.
Sources said different communication channels were opened with the Pakistani authorities, including at the diplomatic level, to get Sahu freed. Coupled with the series of flag meetings held at different levels, including the final one between the commandants of BSF and Pakistani Rangers, Shaw’s repatriation finally came through on Wednesday. He finally walked free from Wagah into Attari at 10.30 AM, looking safe and healthy.
BSF in its statement on Wednesday attributed Shaw’s repatriation to consistent efforts of the force through regular flag meetings with Pakistan Rangers and other communication channels.
Interestingly, the BSF too had taken a Pakistan Rangers personnel into custody after he crossed over to Rajasthan on May 4. This was, however, never acknowledged officially by BSF.
On Wednesday, the Pakistani ranger was reportedly allowed to walk back into Wagah, just as Shaw crossed over to Attari.
Shaw was in his uniform and carrying his service rifle when he crossed into Pakistan. The 40-year-old has serving the BSF for 17 years now. He is from West Bengal's Hooghly district.
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