New Delhi, April 25 - Pakistan today refused to hand over to India for the third consecutive day a BSF jawan who had mistakenly crossed into Pakistan's territory. Official sources said that Pakistan is refusing to share the whereabouts of the BSF jawan. Constable Purnam Sahu of the 182nd battalion of BSF was caught by Pakistani Rangers from the fields along the border in Punjab's Ferozepur district.
Sources told this news agency that the BSF has made several contacts to ensure the release of its jawan and has also sought flag meetings with the Rangers, but there has been no 'positive' response so far. The incident took place at a time when relations between the two countries have reached a low point following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed.
Meanwhile, the BSF has also put all its troops on alert. In view of the Pahalgam attack and related incidents, it has asked for "increased vigilance" along the 2,289-km-long Indo-Pak border from Jammu in the north to Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat in the west.
Sources said that the BSF will continue to demand a field commander-level meeting with the Rangers for the early release of its jawan. They said that as per the protocol established between the two sides, any such case of unintentional straying of an armed personnel is dealt with professionally and promptly.
Sources said that it is expected that the BSF jawan will be with his force very soon. Meanwhile, Sahu's family in Hooghly, West Bengal is praying for his safety and early return.