Gurdaspur (Punjab) [India], May 5 (ANI): A Pakistani national was detained by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel after illegally crossing the International Border into the Gurdaspur sector of Punjab, officials confirmed on Monday.
According to a senior BSF officer, the individual was apprehended during a routine patrol conducted by troops on the intervening night of May 3 and 4. Following the detention, the individual was handed over to Punjab Police for further investigation and legal proceedings.
The BSF is entrusted with safeguarding the 3,323-kilometer-long India-Pakistan border, which stretches across Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. This border remains one of the most sensitive and volatile regions due to longstanding geopolitical tensions and persistent security concerns.
The latest incident comes amid heightened security following a similar episode on April 23, when a BSF trooper was detained by Pakistan Rangers after inadvertently crossing into Pakistani territory near Firozpur, Punjab. At the time, the BSF jawan had reportedly crossed the border while escorting farmers working near the fencing.
In the aftermath of the April incident, the BSF issued a strict advisory instructing personnel to remain extra vigilant during patrolling duties. A senior officer emphasized that while such advisories are a routine part of operational briefings, the detention of the jawan by Pakistani forces prompted renewed urgency in enforcing strict border discipline.
“Troops have been specifically instructed to avoid inadvertent border crossings. Farmers operating in fields near the International Border have also been urged to remain cautious,” the officer said.
Another BSF official noted that while such incidents are not uncommon along the Punjab border—where personnel from both countries occasionally cross the boundary unintentionally—they are typically resolved promptly through flag meetings. However, in this instance, the official said Pakistan Rangers have been unresponsive to repeated Indian requests for a flag meeting.
“Due to heightened tensions following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan has not responded to our call for dialogue. Nonetheless, we have formally lodged a protest and are making all possible efforts to secure the return of our detained jawan,” the officer added.
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