Shaw was returned to Indian officials unharmed and is currently undergoing medical and security assessments.

In a significant diplomatic and humanitarian development, Pakistan Rangers on Wednesday handed over BSF constable Purnam Kumar Shaw to Indian authorities at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab. The 30-year-old jawan had been in Pakistani custody for 20 days after inadvertently crossing the international border on April 23 in Ferozepur district.

The handover took place at 10:30 AM in a peaceful and procedural manner, confirmed a spokesperson from the Border Security Force (BSF). Shaw was returned to Indian officials unharmed and is currently undergoing medical and security assessments.

Shaw, a native of West Bengal, was escorting Indian farmers harvesting wheat in the Mamdot block near the Zero Line when he mistakenly crossed into Pakistani territory. He was in full uniform, armed with his G2 service rifle, and carrying three magazines and 60 rounds when detained by Pakistan Rangers.

BSF Inspector General Atul Fulzele had earlier said that repeated requests for Shaw's release were made, but two flag meetings with Pakistani counterparts yielded no resolution until now. Officials say this confusion often stems from the geographical complexity of the Ferozepur sector, where farmland extends beyond the border fence.

"These are sensitive zones, and such incidents have happened before. While most are resolved quickly, this one took unusually long," said a senior security official.

The peaceful resolution of the issue is being seen as a positive outcome in an otherwise tense India-Pakistan security dynamic, especially after the Pahalgam terror attack, which occurred just a day before Shaw’s detention.