West Bengal

IIE Digital Desk : Border Security Force (BSF) constable Purnam Kumar Shaw was repatriated to India on Wednesday morning, May 14, 2025, after spending nearly three weeks in the custody of Pakistan Rangers. The handover occurred at 10:30 AM at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab, following sustained diplomatic efforts and multiple flag meetings between the two nations. 

Shaw, a resident of West Bengal and a member of the BSF’s 24th Battalion, was apprehended on April 23 after inadvertently crossing the international border in the Ferozepur sector while escorting local farmers during wheat harvesting operations. The area’s complex geography, with Indian farmlands extending beyond the border fence, often leads to such inadvertent crossings. 

The BSF confirmed that Shaw was in uniform and armed at the time of his detention. His accidental crossing and subsequent detention occurred a day after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which had heightened tensions along the India-Pakistan border. 

Efforts to secure Shaw’s release intensified following the detention of a Pakistani Rangers trooper by Indian forces near Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, on May 3. This development provided India with leverage in negotiations, leading to a mutual agreement for the exchange of detained personnel. 

The peaceful handover at the Attari-Wagah border was conducted in accordance with established protocols. BSF officials expressed relief over Shaw’s safe return, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic channels in resolving such incidents. 

Shaw’s family in West Bengal expressed immense relief and joy upon his return. His wife, Rajani Shaw, who had been actively seeking assistance from authorities, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, thanked all involved in facilitating her husband's release.