Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Purnam Shaw, who was detained by Pakistan after he had accidentally crossed the international border, returned to his home in West Bengal’s Hooghly district on Friday. Excitement filled the air at his residence in Rishra, where everyone was overjoyed and emotional.
Purnam Shaw arrived in Howrah in the evening, where he was warmly received by his father Bholanath Shaw who embraced his son amidst a large crowd.
Purnam was garlanded and taken to Rishra in a car before switching to an open-top vehicle for the final few miles. Accompanied by a marching band, a large procession followed to celebrate his homecoming.
The scene at his home resembled an early Diwali celebration, with the entire house aglow with electric lights and oil lamps. A large crowd of neighbours, relatives, and friends had gathered to welcome him back.
“We are overjoyed. He has come back home exactly after a month after of detention. It’s Diwali for us and we feel our Ram has returned,” Purnam’s wife Rajani Shaw was seen saying to the local media.
She’s been busy preparing her husband’s favourite meal since morning. During the ordeal, she had even travelled to the Pathankot to push for his safe and quick return and had spoken directly with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
On April 23, Purnam had been escorting farmers near the border. Exhausted during duty, he reportedly fell asleep under a tree, without realising that he had entered Pakistani territory where he was subsequently detained.
As diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan worsened in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor, uncertainty over Purnam’s release also increased.
However, due to the BSF’s consistent efforts through regular flag meetings and communication with their counterparts on the other side, the Pakistan Rangers, the Indian soldier returned to his homeland on May 14.
Following his repatriation, Purnam underwent thorough medical examinations to assess his physical and mental condition, as well as to document the abuse he reportedly suffered while in Pakistan. Now, nine days after his return to India, he finally got back to his home.
