Vikram Ditya Sharma/Ferozepur
The BSF jawan Purnam Kumar Sahu, who was detained by Pakistani Rangers on April 23 after inadvertently crossing the international border into Pakistani territory while on duty as a “Kissan Guard,” has been repatriated to India today. The incident occurred a day after the Pahalgam massacre.
According to information, Sahu was released at the Attari Joint Check Post around 10:30 am. The handover was conducted peacefully in accordance with established protocols, the BSF stated.
Earlier, the BSF reportedly held three flag meetings with the Pakistani Rangers to secure Sahu’s release, but the response was initially not encouraging. Sources said the Indian government had been exerting diplomatic pressure on Pakistan, which eventually led to Sahu’s return today.
Sahu’s wife, Rajani Sahu, a resident of Rishra town in West Bengal’s Hooghly district, had met BSF officials in Kangra and later in Jalalabad. Two days ago, she had reportedly spoken with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had assured her that Sahu would be released soon.