Pakistani National Held by BSF After Illegally Crossing Border in Punjab’s Gurdaspur
Heightened border tensions, missing BSF trooper, and unanswered flag meetings set a tense backdrop.
In a fresh twist to the ongoing India-Pakistan border tensions, the Border Security Force (BSF) has detained a Pakistani national who illegally crossed into Indian territory in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab.
BSF troops, patrolling the sensitive border region during the intervening night of May 3-4, apprehended the individual after spotting suspicious movement. Officials confirmed that the intruder was immediately taken into custody and handed over to the Punjab Police for further questioning.
This incident comes amid heightened alertness along the India-Pakistan border, particularly after a BSF jawan was recently detained by Pakistan Rangers on April 23 near Punjab’s Firozpur. According to sources, the Indian trooper had unintentionally crossed the border while escorting local farmers working close to the fencing.
Tensions Mount, Dialogue Stalls
While such incidents of accidental cross-border movement are not uncommon in the region and are typically resolved through flag meetings, things are different this time. Despite repeated attempts, Pakistan has yet to respond to India’s call for a flag meeting to facilitate the return of the detained BSF jawan.
“Pakistan is not turning up for talks due to heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack,” a BSF officer said, referring to the recent militant strike that has further strained bilateral relations. “We’ve officially lodged our protest and are actively pursuing the matter to bring our man back.”
BSF Tightens Vigilance
In response to the situation, the BSF has issued a strict advisory, urging its troops and local farmers working along the border to exercise extreme caution. Officers have been instructed to remain highly alert during patrols, and additional briefings have been conducted to reinforce border discipline.
The 3,323 km-long India-Pakistan border spanning Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat is one of the most volatile frontiers in the world. With recent events adding more fuel to an already tense atmosphere, both sides remain on edge.
As efforts continue behind the scenes to de-escalate the situation, all eyes are on whether Pakistan will return to the negotiating table and what comes next for the detained BSF jawan.
Reference
Pakistani National Held by BSF After Illegally Crossing Border in Punjab’s Gurdaspur