Amidst escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Border Security Force (BSF) has detained a Pakistani Ranger on the India-Pakistan international border in Rajasthan. According to official sources, this action took place on Saturday.
This scenario unfolds amidst mounting tension between India and Pakistan following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, two weeks ago, where a BSF soldier was apprehended by Pakistani Rangers. The attack led to the tragic demise of 26 individuals, predominantly tourists.
Sources report that the BSF unit in Rajasthan has commenced questioning the captured Pakistani Ranger. It remains unclear how he managed to enter the Indian territory.
Notably, BSF personnel Poornam Kumar Shaw was seized by Pakistani Rangers on April 23rd from the international border in Punjab. Despite fierce protests from Indian forces, there was an initial refusal to release him. India strongly addressed this issue, urging Pakistani Rangers for his immediate release, yet there remains no positive response from them.
Constable Poornam Kumar Shaw of the 24th battalion was detained by Pakistani Rangers on April 23rd after accidentally crossing the border in Firozpur district. BSF authorities have sent a protest letter to the Pakistan Rangers, who have, however, not disclosed any details about Shaw’s location or potential return date.
There have been approximately 4-5 flag meetings between the two sides, but no final decision has been made regarding the soldier’s return. A protest letter was handed over to the Rangers' sector commander by BSF. Meanwhile, the Pakistani Rangers have maintained silence, issuing neither a protest letter nor providing any information on the BSF soldier's status.
Pictures of Poornam Kumar Shaw were circulated by Pakistani social media handles last week, showing him blindfolded sitting on a vehicle equipped with a rifle, ammunition magazines, a belt, and other items scattered on the ground.
Shaw was part of the 'Kisan Guard,' a unit dedicated to safeguarding Indian farmers cultivating land near the border fence. Misjudging the international boundary, Shaw ventured under a tree to rest on the other side, where he was captured by Pakistani Rangers. His pregnant wife and son arrived in Punjab on Monday.
They met senior unit officials who assured them of his safe return. A senior official mentioned ongoing efforts for his release, considering the existing context between both nations post the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Historically, such inadvertent crossings were resolved promptly.
