In a rare and carefully coordinated exchange, Indian and Pakistani authorities on Wednesday released personnel from each other’s side who had inadvertently crossed the international border.
The development took place amid heightened tensions between the two nations following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives—mostly tourists—on April 22.
According to official sources, a Pakistani Ranger identified as Muhammad Allah, who had crossed into Indian territory on May 3 under unclear circumstances, was released by the Border Security Force (BSF) shortly after India secured the return of its constable from Pakistan.
Muhammad Allah was taken into custody by the Rajasthan frontier of the BSF after entering Indian territory along the India-Pakistan border. The exact reason behind his incursion remains unknown, though no hostile intent has been reported.
The exchange took place at the Attari-Wagah joint check post in Amritsar district. BSF constable Purnam Kumar Shaw, who had been in Pakistani custody for 21 days, was formally handed back by the Pakistan Rangers at 10:30 a.m. local time. A photograph released by the BSF showed Shaw with a beard, tousled hair, and dressed in a dark green T-shirt.
Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw was repatriated at the Attari-Wagah border by the Pakistan Rangers,” a BSF spokesperson confirmed.
Shaw had inadvertently crossed into Pakistani territory on the night of April 23 while on operational duty in the Ferozepur sector of Punjab.
Officials explained that he was deployed as part of the ‘Kisan Guard’—a unit tasked with protecting Indian farmers who cultivate land beyond the border fencing.
It is believed that Shaw misjudged the border alignment and, while seeking shade under a nearby tree, unknowingly entered Pakistani territory where he was apprehended by the Rangers.
The incident occurred just one day after the Pahalgam terror attack, further intensifying the already fraught relations between New Delhi and Islamabad.
Following his return, Shaw will undergo a comprehensive medical examination and full-body check-up. He will also participate in a counselling and debriefing session, during which BSF officials will ask him a series of questions about his time in custody.
Officials confirmed that he will not return to active duty immediately and will be the subject of an internal inquiry by the Punjab frontier of the BSF to investigate the circumstances that led to his capture and to identify any procedural lapses.
BSF officials credited the successful repatriation to ongoing diplomatic and military coordination. “With consistent efforts through flag meetings with Pakistan Rangers and other communication channels, the safe return of the constable has been ensured,” the spokesperson said, adding that the handover was conducted peacefully and by standard bilateral protocols.
Shaw, who hails from Rishra in West Bengal’s Hooghly district, had been the subject of public concern as his wife appealed to authorities and the media for information about his wellbeing and efforts toward his swift return, especially in light of the escalating tensions due to Operation Sindoor—India’s military response to the Pahalgam attack.
India’s release of Muhammad Allah is widely viewed as a goodwill gesture aimed at maintaining stability despite ongoing hostilities.
However, neither the Ministry of External Affairs nor the BSF has issued a formal statement regarding the exchange, reflecting the delicate nature of current diplomatic ties between the two nations.