Blindfolded and Abused: BSF Jawan's Harrowing Experience in Pakistani Custody

Ferozepur (The Uttam Hindu) : In a significant development along the tense Indo-Pak border, Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw was handed over to Indian authorities by Pakistan after spending 21 traumatic days in their custody. Shaw, who hails from West Bengal, had inadvertently crossed the International Border in the Ferozepur sector of Punjab during a routine patrol on April 23, leading to his arrest by Pakistan Rangers.

According to sources familiar with the matter, while Shaw was not subjected to any form of physical torture, he endured a deeply distressing time in Pakistani custody. The jawan was reportedly kept blindfolded for prolonged periods, deprived of sleep, verbally abused, and denied basic hygiene amenities, including being prevented from brushing his teeth throughout the duration of his detention. Officials said Shaw was relentlessly interrogated by Pakistani authorities, who sought information about BSF deployments and security arrangements along the India-Pakistan border. "Though he was not beaten, the psychological stress was immense. The intention was clearly to disorient him and extract intelligence," an official source revealed.

His repatriation took place through diplomatic and military-level channels, after consistent efforts from the Indian government and the BSF. The handover occurred at a designated border point in Punjab on May 14, with representatives from both forces present. Upon return, Shaw was immediately taken for a medical evaluation and debriefing by senior BSF officials. The BSF has confirmed the incident and praised Shaw's composure under duress. “We are grateful to have our colleague back safe. While he faced considerable mental stress, he handled the situation with remarkable resilience,” a BSF spokesperson said. The force has launched an internal inquiry to understand the circumstances that led to the inadvertent crossing.

India and Pakistan share a long and often volatile border and while such accidental crossings are rare among trained personnel, they are not unprecedented. Each instance underscores the high tension and sensitive nature of border deployments in the region. Diplomatic sources indicated that while the situation could have escalated, both sides chose to handle the matter through dialogue. India is expected to raise the issue of the treatment meted out to Shaw with Pakistani authorities through appropriate diplomatic channels. As of now, Shaw is under observation and will undergo counseling to help him recover from the psychological impact of his captivity. Meanwhile, security protocols for personnel deployed along the border are being reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future.