Kin of BSF jawan Purnam Sahu, in Pakistan custody after accidental border cross, pray for his release

RISHRA: The commanding officer of Purnam Sahu, the BSF jawan from the 182nd battalion stationed in Punjab's Ferozepur sector, who is now in the custody of Pakistan Rangers after accidentally crossing the border on Wednesday, contacted his family in Rishra on Friday evening.
He told them that Purnam's release would be discussed during a flag meeting proposed for Friday evening or Saturday morning with Pakistani officers.

The news provided a faint ray of hope for Purnam's wife, Rajani, his father Bholanath, mother Devanti Devi and other members of the extended family who had gathered at Sahu Sadan, the house near Harisabha Club off the Banstala bus stop on GT Road. It also triggered visible excitement in the neighbourhood, where there are other households with members in the armed forces.
Until the news arrived, the Sahu family spent a sleepless night after learning on Thursday about his transgression into Pakistani territory. Breaching the border, even accidentally, is concerning, especially when diplomatic ties have hit a new low following the attack on tourists in Baisaran valley.
Bholanath Sahu, who served as a havildar in the army, said they were unable to contact Purnam since Wednesday. Rajani was the last to speak to him on Tuesday night. Since the family learned that he was taken into custody in Pakistan, Rajani lapsed into shocked silence.
It was Purnam's paternal cousin, Shyam Sunder Sahu, who finally took the call from the BSF CO. "We will spend another anxious night and hope that there will be welcome news of his release when the CO calls again," he said.
Earlier in the day, Rishra civic chairman Bijay Sagar Mishra enquired about the family's well-being and assured them that Purnam would return home. Purnam had returned from leave just three weeks ago.