BSF jawan detained by Pakistan as tensions escalate with India

Representative Photo

A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan has been detained by Pakistan Rangers after he accidentally crossed the Punjab border and talks are on between the two forces to secure his release, officials said on Thursday.

A senior BSF officer said," A jawan of the Border Security Force (BSF) was detained by Pakistani Rangers on Wednesday, April 23, after he accidentally crossed the international border in Firozpur of Punjab, while on duty. A flag meeting has been called to ensure the safe return of the jawan."

Constable PK Singh of the 182nd battalion was apprehended by the Pakistan Rangers across the Ferozepur border on Wednesday, they said.

The jawan was in uniform and carried his service rifle. He was accompanying farmers when he moved ahead to rest in shade and was apprehended by the Rangers.

Meanwhile, the talks are on between the two forces to secure his release, officials added as quoted by news agency PTI.  They said such incidents were not uncommon and have happened in the past between the two sides. The incident comes against in the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack with India taking a slew of measures against Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism.

"Senior officials from both sides are reportedly in communication to resolve the matter amicably," officials privy to the development told ANI.

The BSF is the primary force responsible for guarding the 3,323 km long India-Pakistan border, spanning the states of Jammu and Kashmir (including parts of the LoC), Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

In another development,the Border Security Force (BSF) on Thursday said it has "scaled down" the retreat ceremony held at Attari, Hussainiwala and Sadki along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

The BSF's Punjab frontier, which guards 532 km of this front out of the total 2,200 km, said in a statement that as part of this "calibrated decision", it was suspending the symbolic handshake of the Indian guard commander with the counterpart and the border gates will remain closed during the ceremony.

These steps, it said, reflected "India's serious concern over cross-border hostilities and reaffirms that peace and provocation cannot coexist". Officials said all other drills will continue and common people will be allowed to witness this daily flag-lowering ceremony.

*With Agency Inputs