Was Purnam Kumar Shaw tortured? BSF jawan freed from Pakistan was deprived of sleep, grilled on deployments

Purnam Kumar Shaw, the BSF jawan freed from Pakistan after 21 days, was deprived of sleep and interrogated regarding deployment of BSF personnel and officers on the International Border, according to reports. He was handed over to India at the Attari check post on May 14.

The jawan from 24th BSF battalion was arrested by the Pakistani Rangers on April 21, along the International Border, in Ferozepur sector, Punjab after he inadvertantly crossed over to Pakistan territory. This occurred a day after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

In exchange, India released a Pakistani Ranger who was apprehended by BSF in Rajasthan's Sriganganagar along the International Border.

Was Purnam Kumar Shaw tortured?

Reports revealed that Purnam Kumar Shaw was not physically tortured. He was said to be in a stable physical and mental condition following his release.

However, the 40-year-old was deprived of sleep and not even allowed to brush his teeth, according to sources. It has also been revealed that the Pakistani authorities abused him verbally.

Shaw was reportedly taken to three unidentified locations in Pakistan, including an airbase where he said he heard noises of aircraft. They also asked him contact numbers but he did not have mobile phone in line with BSF protocol and hence could not hand over contact details.

The jawan, who has been with the BSF for 17 years, hails from Hooghly, West Bengal. His pregnant wife, Rajani, and his son, 7, had flown to Chandigarh after Pakistan detained him.

India