The capture of an Indian border guard by Pakistani troops has added to the already heightened tensions between the two nations, following a recent deadly terrorist incident in Kashmir.
Purnam Kumar Shaw, who serves in the paramilitary Border Security Force, has his family worried about his well-being.
Shaw was with farmers attending to their fields along the border in Punjab when he accidentally crossed into Pakistani territory and was taken into custody, as reported by Indian news outlets.
His detention occurred on Wednesday, just a day after a terrorist attack in Indian-held Kashmir that claimed 26 civilian lives, intensifying the risk of military action between the two nuclear-armed nations.
India has accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack and has suggested it is preparing for a military response alongside a range of punitive measures. Pakistan has rejected these claims and has taken its own retaliatory actions.
Mr. Shaw’s capture may provide Pakistan with leverage and could influence India’s options regarding military actions.
Officials in India have been silent about the incident. A senior military figure in Pakistan confirmed that the Pakistan Rangers, a paramilitary group, detained the Indian guard. An Indian official stated that the government is working to secure Mr. Shaw’s return through established channels.
“We are very concerned about his safety,” said his nephew, Rahul Shaw. “The B.S.F. has assured us they will ensure his safe return,” he added, referencing the Border Security Force.
Shaw has an 8-year-old son, and his wife is expecting their second child, his nephew mentioned.
Kalyan Banerjee, an Indian Parliament member from West Bengal, stated that senior security officials had given him assurances that Mr. Shaw is in good health and that the government is making “every effort” to bring him back home.
The specifics of how Mr. Shaw, a guard with nearly 20 years of service, ended up in custody remain unclear.
Security setups along certain border sections can be quite complex. Farmlands on the Indian side often sit next to a neutral area known as the zero point, which lies between Indian and Pakistani territories.
In many villages, the Border Security Force monitors local access to farms, issuing identification cards and closely watching their activities, especially during specific hours for fieldwork. Unintentional border crossings do occur from time to time.
Mr. Shaw’s detention is reminiscent of a previous significant tussle between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, which took place in 2019 following a terrorist attack on Indian security personnel.
After India carried out airstrikes, Pakistan shot down an Indian aircraft and captured its pilot, whose fate played a role in de-escalating tensions between the two countries.
K.J. Singh, a retired Indian general who once led the Western Command, noted that border soldiers often unintentionally cross the demarcation line, making this situation less comparable to the detention of the pilot.
Mr. Singh expressed hope that negotiations regarding the border guard might elevate above the typical standards set in such situations.
Zia ur-Rehman contributed reporting from Karachi, Pakistan.
