Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, the Border Security Force (BSF) has apprehended a Pakistani Ranger near the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan, according to official sources cited by PTI.
The Ranger is currently in custody with the BSF’s Rajasthan frontier, and the circumstances of his presence on Indian territory are under investigation.
Detention of BSF soldier by Pakistani Rangers
This development comes nearly two weeks after a BSF constable, Purnam Kumar Shaw, was taken into custody by Pakistani Rangers along the international border in Punjab. Shaw had inadvertently crossed the border on April 23. Despite repeated appeals and diplomatic protests by India, Pakistan has yet to return the soldier. Several rounds of flag meetings and talks have been held over the past week to secure Shaw’s release, but they remain inconclusive.
Escalation along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir
In a related development, cross-border firing has intensified in Jammu and Kashmir. During the night of May 3–4, Pakistani Army posts initiated unprovoked small arms fire across the Line of Control (LoC) in several sectors, including Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajauri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor. The Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately to the provocations.
Pahalgam terror attack
These incidents come in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people—mostly tourists—were killed in a brazen act of violence. The attack has heightened security concerns and strained relations between the two countries. India has accused Pakistan-based terror groups of orchestrating the assault, further worsening bilateral ties.