The pregnant wife of Purnam Kumar Shaw, the Border Security Force (BSF) jawan detained by Pakistan Rangers, is set to visit Pathankot in Punjab with a plea for his safe return.
Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw, 40, who hails from Hooghly in West Bengal, was detained by Pakistan Rangers after he accidentally crossed the international border in Punjab’s Ferozepur district Wednesday while providing security to farmers. The detention has coincided with the diplomatic stand-off between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed Tuesday.
Speaking to media persons Saturday, Purnam’s wife Rajani Shaw said, “It has been four days since Pakistani forces captured him. We are in touch with BSF officials. But all they are saying is that meetings are being held. But there is no positive news. I don’t know when my husband will be back.”
“I have decided to visit Pathankot myself and plead with the BSF officers to ensure my husband’s safe return. I will personally appeal to everyone to help in this effort. I will reach out to the prime minister and the President to secure his release. I’m unsure whom to trust. We must ensure his return, and I am willing to knock on doors personally to make this happen,” added Rajani, who is scheduled to leave for Pathankot Sunday.
“His friend had called. He said that the Pakistan side had kidnapped my husband while he was on duty. I spoke to him last Tuesday. For 17 years, he has been in service,” said Rajani, who, according to relatives, is pregnant with the couple’s second child. The couple has a seven-year-old child.
Meanwhile, Kalyan Banerjee, Trinamool Congress’s Lok Sabha MP from Serampore, said he called up BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chaudhary on the issue.
Speaking with The Indian Express, Banerjee said, “I called up the BSF DG regarding Purnam Kumar Shaw, who is detained in Pakistan. He told me that all agencies and the Centre are making every possible effort to bring the jawan back. He said Pakistan is taking time, but ultimately, the jawan will be returned. He said Purnam is presently safe and in good health in Pakistan.”
“We have been told that release talks are on. The Central government and state government are making all efforts,” said Purnam’s brother Rajeshwar Pandey.
The Pahalgam terror attack has heightened the family’s anxiety regarding Purnam’s safety while in Pakistani custody. Following the attack, India has taken a series of strong diplomatic and strategic steps in response to Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism.