Pakistan refuses to return BSF jawan for third consecutive day

Amritsar: Pakistan has declined to return a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan who inadvertently crossed into its territory, officials said on Friday. This marks the third consecutive day that Constable Purnam Sahu, of the BSF’s 182nd battalion, remains in Pakistani custody after being apprehended by Pakistani Rangers from fields along the border in Punjab’s Ferozepur district.

Official sources said Pakistan has not disclosed the jawan’s whereabouts, despite repeated attempts by Indian authorities to establish contact.

The BSF has also sought flag meetings with the Pakistani Rangers, but no “positive” response has been received so far.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed.

In response, the BSF has put all its units on alert and called for “extra vigil” along the 2,289-km-long Indo-Pak border spanning Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

Sources said the BSF will continue to press for a field commander-level meeting with the Pakistani Rangers to secure the jawan’s early release.

They added that such incidents are generally handled in a “professional and prompt” manner, as per established protocol between the two sides.