Congress asks what steps govt is taking to secure BSF jawan’s safe return

Rajani Shah, wife of BSF jawan Purnam Sahu who was detained by Pakistan Rangers after inadvertently crossing the international border, arrived at Chandigarh airport to meet BSF officials at Ferozepur on April 28, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Congress on Tuesday (April 29, 2025) asked the Centre what steps is it taking to secure the safe return of Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Purnam Sahu, who inadvertently strayed to the Pakistan side of the border.

Pakistan Rangers apprehended Constable Sahu from a farming field along Punjab’s Ferozepur on April 23.

The Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said it has been six days since the BSF Constable was detained by Pakistan Rangers.

“His family is anxiously awaiting answers. What steps is the government taking to secure his safe return,” Mr. Khera asked in a post on X.

According to BSF officials, the incident occurred when Mr. Sahu, who was escorting a group of farmers near the border, stepped away to rest under a tree and unknowingly slipped into the Pakistani territory.

He was posted with the 182nd Battalion of the BSF at the Ferozepur border.

While the Indian and Pakistani border forces held a flag meeting to negotiate Mr. Sahu’s release, officials said, the family has not received any further updates.

The incident came at a time when relations between the two countries have hit a low in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22.