E-Paper
After 20 days, Pak hands over BSF jawan, wife says sindoor safe thanks to PM Modi
Expressing gratitude, BSF constable Purnam Kumar Shaw’s wife Rajani says, “Modi ji has not just worked for national pride but also to protect the sindoor of every Indian woman. Because of him, my sindoor is safe, and my husband is back.” Thanks West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for her efforts.
Pakistan Rangers on Wednesday handed over Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw, apprehended on April 23, to India via the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab.
The constable was handed over to the BSF by Pakistan Rangers at 10.30am. The handover was conducted peacefully and in accordance with established protocols, a BSF spokesperson said.
Shaw was apprehended by the Rangers on April 23 from along the India-Pakistan international border in Ferozepur district, a day after the Pahalgam terror attack. The constable of the BSF’s 24th Battalion, a resident of West Bengal, was taken into custody by the Pakistan Rangers after he accidentally crossed the Zero Line in the Ferozepur sector. He was escorting a group of local farmers harvesting wheat across the border fence in the Mamdot block at the time of the incident. He was in uniform and armed with his G2 service rifle, along with three magazines and 60 rounds.
Constable assures wife over video call
Expressing relief, Shaw’s wife Rajani told mediapersons that she received a call at 10.30am from a senior BSF official informing her about the good news. Moments later, she received a video call from her husband. “He looked healthy and sounded strong. He assured me not to worry,” she said.
While Shaw has not yet revealed whether he will return home, Rajani remained hopeful. “He has promised to call me again today,” she said, expressing “deepest gratitude” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and BSF officers.
She lauded Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and said with Operation Sindoor, “Modi ji has not just worked for national pride but also to protect the sindoor of every Indian woman. Because of him, my sindoor is safe, and my husband has come back.”
“Three days ago, Mamata Didi assured me that he would return soon. Today, her words came true,” she said turning emotional.
Rajani bowed her head to thank every Indian who stood by her. “It was the support of this nation that gave me strength during my darkest days,” she said in Ferozepur.
Mamata calls up constable’s wife, expresses happiness
Reacting to the constable’s release, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X: “I’m happy to receive the information that our Purnam Kumar Shaw, the BSF jawan, has been released. I had all along been in touch with his family and spoke thrice with his wife Rajani Shaw at Rishra, Hugli. Today also I called her. All the very best wishes for my brother- like jawan, his entire family.”
Shaw, who was posted to the border area on April 10, 2025, was on his first deployment to this region. Officials noted that the geography of the area, which includes farmlands located up to 150 metres beyond the border fence but within Indian territory, can be confusing for new personnel. Farmers are granted access to these fields under BSF supervision during harvest season. In this instance, only Shaw crossed the border inadvertently, while the farmers remained behind.
Security officials stated that similar incidents have occurred in the past and are typically resolved through flag meetings and mutual coordination. However, two flag meetings between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers had ended without resolution.
The incident came amid heightened tensions along the Indo-Pak border following the terror attack near Pahalgam that killed 26 people, most of them tourists.
