Purnam Kumar Shaw, a jawan of the Border Security Force (BSF) from West Bengal, returned to India after a dramatic 21-day ordeal at the hands of his Pakistani captors. What was just a routine border patrol in Punjab turned into an extended diplomatic crisis when Shaw crossed the border inadvertently on April 23, just a day after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
Shaw was said to have looked for shade under a tree when he inadvertently crossed into Pakistani territory. The Pakistani Rangers picked him up at once, and what should have been a swift handover became a tense standoff. His return, with Indo-Pak relations already tenuous, was bogged down in delays and uncertainty.
Negotiations in the Shadow of Conflict
Under normal circumstances, a soldier who mistakenly crosses the border is typically handed back within a day or two. However, Shaw’s case was different. The Pahalgam terror attack had escalated tensions, and Operation Sindoor—India’s retaliatory air strikes on terror camps—only complicated matters. Flag meetings were stalled, and every Indian diplomatic effort was met with the same vague reply, “We are waiting for directions from the higher-ups.”
Later, on May 10, the two nations came to an “understanding” to suspend military action along the International Border as well as the Line of Control. Four days after that, Shaw returned home at last through Attari-Wagah border, giving great relief to his family.
Today BSF Jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw, who had been in the custody of Pakistan Rangers since 23 April 2025, was handed over to India: BSF
Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan territory, while on operational duty in area of Ferozepur sector on 23rd… pic.twitter.com/PnHB6wl69V
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2025
Mental Torture of BSF Soldier and Captivity Conditions
Shaw’s experience was not an easy one. When he returned, he confided in his wife, Rajani, and shared the psychological impact of his captivity. “He was being given food at regular intervals. But he was not permitted to brush his teeth. When he talked, he was exhausted and said he was sleep-deprived,” she explained to The Times of India.
Although physically not attacked, Shaw said he was put through severe mental stress. Pakistani authorities, sometimes dressed in civilian clothes, blindfolded him and transferred him between three secret locations. One of them, Shaw suspects, was close to an airbase—he constantly heard planes overhead. At another time, he was placed in a prison cell and questioned repeatedly regarding patterns of BSF deployment and the details of senior officers. He was also under pressure to provide contact details. However, according to BSF procedure, he didn’t carry a phone during the patrol.
#WATCH | Punjab: Visuals from Attari Border, as BSF jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw returns to India.
Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan territory, while on operational duty in area of Ferozepur sector on 23rd April 2025 and detained by Pakistan… pic.twitter.com/YvADn9STKg
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2025
A Family’s Agony and Hope
Meanwhile, in India, Shaw’s family—particularly his pregnant wife Rajani—were wracked with anxiety. She and their infant son, along with other relatives, went to Ferozepur to meet Shaw’s commanding officer. Despite assurances that talks were being initiated, reports of Indian army action served to further intensify their anxiety.
“I remained glued to the news all day, hoping for something positive,” Rajani said. The family’s concerns were echoed by Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee, who demanded immediate government action. “We need to get him back immediately,” Banerjee posted on social media.
Wife of BSF jawan Purnam Shaw returned from Pakistan after 20 days of captivity
She says @narendramodi he to sab possible he
She also praised WB CM pic.twitter.com/7Rb8znEmzh
— Naveen Kapoor (@IamNaveenKapoor) May 14, 2025
Lastly, on May 14, their hopes were fulfilled. Shaw came back to Indian soil and was immediately debriefed by the government. His captor-worn clothes were checked and disposed of, and he was discovered to be physically and mentally fit.
Welcome of BSF Jawan and Renewed Resolve
Despite the trauma, Shaw’s family is in full support of his service. His wife was thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for his release. His father, Bholanath Shaw, in a proud tone, said, “I want him to work for the country only. He will again go back to protect our country.”
Shaw is a member of the 24th Battalion of the BSF and was deployed to Punjab’s Ferozepur sector, which borders Pakistan for 553 km. His case has reopened debates on border troops’ challenges and risks, particularly during times of increased military and political tensions.
The Larger Picture: Border Security and Diplomacy
Shaw’s return is a relief, but it also reveals weaknesses in cross-border procedures and the heavy human price of diplomatic standoffs. His 21-day detention—marked by blindfolds, questioning, and mental pressure—raises significant questions regarding how both countries respond to such events during times of turmoil.
As the BSF and Indian authorities toiled behind the scenes, the ordeal is a grim reminder of the human toll exacted by those manning the country’s borders. More importantly, it is a reminder of how global events—ranging from terror strikes to military campaigns—can have far-reaching consequences. Even the most mundane security operations can be hugely influenced by such developments.
As Shaw returns to work, his account is a warning story and a tribute to the resilience and strength of India’s military and their families.
