Border Security Force (BSF) constable Purnam Kumar Shaw, however, was handed back to the Indians on Wednesday morning as he was in the custody of Pakistan Rangers from 23rd April. The repatriation was on at the Attari-Wagah border at about 10:30 AM, as stated in a statement by the BSF.
Through persistent diplomatic and military endeavors by the BSF, the return of Constable Shaw saw the daylight. Some of these were frequent flag meetings with Pakistani Rangers and continued efforts through formal channels of communication. “With the continued pressure being brought about by BSF through the regular flag meetings with Pakistan Rangers and other means of communication, the repatriation of BSF Constable has become possible,” confirmed the BSF spokesperson.
Shaw’s father, Bhola Nath Shaw, a retired bank employee, spoke in a mixture of being relieved and anticipation. Some senior officers called us last night to inform us about the development. They said he was scheduled to be released. We were yet to receive this official information,” he said.
The incident happened on April 23, when Constable Shaw, who was assigned at the Indo-Pakistan border in Punjab’s Ferozepur district, inadvertently crossed over to the Pakistani land. Reports have it that he was helping local farmers during their work along the zero line at the time of the accidental crossing. He was also in full uniform and was on active duty.
In the first place, interested Pakistan Rangers attended the flag meetings with BSF officers. However, high tensions and inter-country firing led to a temporary stop in communication between the two forces. Despite this, backroom deals were made to ensure the safe return of Shaw.
Shaw, who was a citizen of Hooghly, West Bengal, had been on duty at the border on 10th April as part of an ad-hoc team in BSF. His comeback has eased the burden on his family and the force that had anxiously waited for his safe return home.
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