Purnam Kumar Shaw, the Border Security Force (BSF) jawan recently released by Pakistan, spent a distressing three weeks in captivity across the border.
The BSF personnel had inadvertently crossed the international border in Punjab while looking for shade under a tree and was arrested by Pakistani Rangers on April 23, a day after the terror attack in Pahalgam
With relations already strained between both sides, efforts to bring him back became increasingly challenging. Multiple rounds of negotiations took place between Indian and Pakistani officials, and the situation remained uncertain for days.Finally, after both countries reached an “understanding” on May 10 to pause military operations along the International Border and the Line of Control, a breakthrough came. Four days later, Shaw was released and crossed back into India on Wednesday, bringing immense relief to his family.
Soon after his return, Shaw reached out to his family and shared the trauma he had faced in custody.
Here’s what happened.
‘Treated like a spy, grilled at interrogations’
Shaw told his wife, Rajani, that while he was not physically harmed during his detention in Pakistan, he was subjected to immense mental pressure. He was reportedly denied basic needs like bathroom access and sleep, among other inhumane acts.
