The family of Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw, who reportedly crossed the border near Ferozepur inadvertently on Wednesday and was captured by the Pakistan border guards, are praying for his safe return amidst a tense stand-off between India and Pakistan following the massacre in Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
Shaw, a head constable with the Border Security Force (BSF), is from Hooghly, West Bengal, where his family stays. Shaw was captured by Pakistan rangers after he reportedly inadvertently crossed the border.
“We have been told that release talks are on. The Central Government and State Government are making all efforts. We are praying and hopeful of his safe return,” said his brother, Rajeshwar Pandey.
The constable’s wife, Rajani Shaw, a resident of Rishra, a town 20 km from Kolkata, tearfully appealed to the Government for her husband’s swift release.
“His friend had called. He said that my husband has been kidnapped by the Pakistan side while he was on duty. They have arrested him. I spoke to him for the last time on Tuesday. For 17 years, he has been in service. I am told that flag meetings were going on to bring him back. I want his safe and early release,” she pleaded. The couple has a seven-year-old child.
According to Rajeshwar Pandey, the incident occurred on Wednesday. “His friend said he was on duty and was not feeling well, so he thought to sit under a tree to take rest, and he dozed off. At that moment, Pakistani rangers came, took his arms and took him away. We called the BSF office and they assured us that efforts are on to release him. He was a part of the 24th Battalion,” Pandey stated.
Rajani Shaw recounted her last conversation with her husband. “I last spoke to him on Tuesday at 1 am, and on Wednesday around 6 am, he was detained by Pakistani rangers. I appeal to our Indian Government to bring him back safely,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Expressing his concern, Shaw’s nephew, Rahul Shaw, questioned the circumstances of his crossing the border.
“He has been serving in the BSF for 17 years. Is it believable that he will go on their side? We are worried now that the Pahalgam incident has happened, we don’t know what is happening inside, we just want his safe return,” he said.
According to reports, Shaw had been escorting farmers near the border on Wednesday. Exhausted during duty, he reportedly fell asleep under a tree, without realising that he had entered the Pakistani territory.
The family’s worries regarding Shaw’s safety in Pakistan have multiplied since Shaw’s capture comes within hours of the massacre of Hindu tourists in Kashmir’s Pahalgam by terrorists who supposedly came to India from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The Indian Government has already unequivocally said that the terrorists were directed by elements in Pakistan and aided by Pakistani authorities. India has taken a series of strong diplomatic and strategic steps in response to Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism.
The couple has a seven-year-old child.
According to Rajeshwar Pandey, the incident occurred on Wednesday. “His friend said he was on duty and was not feeling well, so he thought to sit under a tree to take rest, and he dozed off. At that moment, Pakistani rangers came, took his arms and took him away. We called the BSF office and they assured us that efforts are on to release him. He was a part of the 24th Battalion,” Pandey stated.
Rajani Shaw recounted her last conversation with her husband. “I last spoke to him on Tuesday at 1 am, and on Wednesday around 6 am, he was detained by Pakistani rangers. I appeal to our Indian Government to bring him back safely,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Expressing his concern, Shaw’s nephew, Rahul Shaw, questioned the circumstances of his crossing the border.
“He has been serving in the BSF for 17 years. Is it believable that he will go on their side? We are worried now that the Pahalgam incident has happened, we don’t know what is happening inside, we just want his safe return,” he said.
According to reports, Shaw had been escorting farmers near the border on Wednesday. Exhausted during duty, he reportedly fell asleep under a tree, without realising that he had entered the Pakistani territory.
The family’s worries regarding Shaw’s safety in Pakistan have multiplied since Shaw’s capture comes within hours of the massacre of Hindu tourists in Kashmir’s Pahalgam by terrorists who supposedly came to India from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The Indian Government has already unequivocally said that the terrorists were directed by elements in Pakistan and aided by Pakistani authorities. India has taken a series of strong diplomatic and strategic steps in response to Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism.
