BSF Jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw, who had been detained by Pakistan Rangers since April 23 after inadvertently crossing the border in Punjab’s Ferozepur sector, was repatriated to India today. The handover occurred at approximately 10:30 AM at the Attari-Wagah border, following established military protocols.
Shaw, a native of Rishra in Hooghly district of West Bengal, is said to have inadvertently crossed the border while walking with local farmers along the fence. It was a day after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which had already raised the temperature on the India-Pakistan border.
As Shaw remained under arrest during his confinement, attempts at persuading Indian officials to grant his release were attempted. The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, got in touch with Shaw’s pregnant wife, Rajani Shaw, guaranteeing his return by government through safe conduct. Banerjee also ensured that Rajani and her ageing in-laws would receive medical attention.
Rajani Shaw had been assiduously waiting for news regarding her husband’s situation, and she hoped the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire would lead to him returning. She also cited reports of a potential prisoner exchange on the basis of the capture by Indian troops on May 3 of a Pakistani Ranger in Rajasthan.
The success of Constable Shaw’s repatriation indicates the value that must be given to diplomatic sources and set guidelines in solving such cross-border clashes.
