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Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Border courtesy continues between BSF, Pakistan Rangers
1 2 Amritsar: Even as Operation Sindoor remains on hold, an unwritten understanding continues between India's Border Security Force ( BSF ) and the Pakistan Rangers , reflecting mutual respect for rank and established border decorum. This courtesy persists even as the border gates between the two countries remain closed under the operation. At joint check posts (JCPs) in Punjab, where the two borders are separated by mere feet, junior officers or personnel customarily salute or come to attention upon encountering a senior-ranking official from the other side. This practice is most evident during patrols, security reviews, and joint meetings between the two forces. Referring to his recent visit to the Hussainiwala post, inspector general (IG) BSF, Punjab Frontier, Atul Fulzele said, "When I visited the Hussainiwala JCP, officers on the Pakistan side saluted me." He added that the gesture is reciprocal, with junior Indian officers also saluting senior-ranking Pakistani officers. According to him, this is part of a long-standing traditional border protocol observed by both forces. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Watching Videos Can Boost Your Income TheDaddest Undo Former IG BSF, Punjab Frontier, MS Malhi, said that although it may seem surprising that forces prepared to confront each other show respect for rank, this tradition of mutual courtesy continues despite the suspension of Operation Sindoor. He explained that this is a standard border practice, as personnel interact daily. Regardless of nationality, junior officers show respect to senior officers based on rank, which is universally recognised. Since the rank badges, dating back to British colonial times, are similar on both sides, personnel can easily identify and acknowledge each other's rank. "It is simply a routine gesture of respect," he said. Another former IG BSF, Punjab Frontier, Himmat Singh, added that junior officers mostly salute seniors during official meetings. "But sometimes, out of traditional border courtesy, the junior officials come to attention on seeing a senior officer of the other country," he said.
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Business Standard
23-05-2025
- Business Standard
BSF foils smuggling in Ferozepur, seizes drones, nabs armed suspect
Border Security Force (BSF) has thwarted multiple cross-border smuggling attempts in Punjab's Ferozepur district, recovering two drones and apprehending an armed suspect, said a statement from BSF, Punjab Frontier. Acting on intelligence provided by the BSF's intelligence wing, troops apprehended a suspected individual from the village of Gendu Kilcha earlier today. The suspect, a resident of Habib Wala village, was found in possession of a country-made pistol and a motorcycle. He has been handed over to the Mamdot Police Station for further questioning to probe possible illicit connections. In separate incidents, BSF personnel recovered high-end drones suspected of being used for smuggling. The night before, a DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone was discovered in a dried-up drain adjacent to Hazara Singh Wala village. Later today, at approximately 11:50 a.m., BSF troops recovered another drone, a DJI Air 3, near a farming field near Kilche village.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Punjab farmers allowed to access fields beyond border fence
Naushehra Dhalla: Farmers along the Punjab's 553-km border with Pakistan are breathing a sigh of relief as the Border Security Force (BSF) has given them a go ahead to resume agricultural activities in their fields beyond the border fence. The decision comes after the BSF sanitised the entire area beyond the border fence and declared it safe for the farmers to access their fields ahead of the paddy sowing season . BSF inspector general, Punjab Frontier, Atul Fulzele informed on Monday that the BSF sanitised the entire area ahead of the border fence to ensure there were no explosives or improvised explosive devices (IEDs), making it safe for the farmers to resume work in their fields. "We also held meetings with the farmers across the border belt and informed them that the BSF had cleared the area. They are free to go and work in their fields at any time," said Fulzele. For the farmers who have their cultivable lands ahead of the border belt, the news is a lifeline. "We were staring at huge losses," said Manjinder Singh, a farmer from the border village of Naushera Dhalla. "Not being able to sow paddy would have ruined us. Thanks to the BSF, we can now work on our fields and secure our livelihoods," said Manjinder, who owns seven acres of land ahead of the fence. Such were the sentiments of Sukhjit Singh, who along with another farmer, Ranjodh Singh, went beyond the border fence on Monday. He expressed hope that they would be able to prepare their fields ahead of the fence by June 5, when the paddy sowing season begins — five days earlier than in the fields located on this side of the fence. Dharmainder Singh, a resident of Daoke village, said the timely intervention of the BSF had brought renewed hope to farming communities, who could now proceed with their agricultural activities without fear. "I went to my fields beyond the border fence, there is nothing to worry about. The BSF troops are always with us," he said. MSID:: 121270795 413 | Naushehra Dhalla: Farmers along the Punjab's 553-km border with Pakistan are breathing a sigh of relief as the Border Security Force (BSF) has given them a go ahead to resume agricultural activities in their fields beyond the border fence. The decision comes after the BSF sanitised the entire area beyond the border fence and declared it safe for the farmers to access their fields ahead of the paddy sowing season. BSF inspector general, Punjab Frontier, Atul Fulzele informed on Monday that the BSF sanitised the entire area ahead of the border fence to ensure there were no explosives or improvised explosive devices (IEDs), making it safe for the farmers to resume work in their fields. "We also held meetings with the farmers across the border belt and informed them that the BSF had cleared the area. They are free to go and work in their fields at any time," said Fulzele. For the farmers who have their cultivable lands ahead of the border belt, the news is a lifeline. "We were staring at huge losses," said Manjinder Singh, a farmer from the border village of Naushera Dhalla. "Not being able to sow paddy would have ruined us. Thanks to the BSF, we can now work on our fields and secure our livelihoods," said Manjinder, who owns seven acres of land ahead of the fence. Such were the sentiments of Sukhjit Singh, who along with another farmer, Ranjodh Singh, went beyond the border fence on Monday. He expressed hope that they would be able to prepare their fields ahead of the fence by June 5, when the paddy sowing season begins — five days earlier than in the fields located on this side of the fence. Dharmainder Singh, a resident of Daoke village, said the timely intervention of the BSF had brought renewed hope to farming communities, who could now proceed with their agricultural activities without fear. "I went to my fields beyond the border fence, there is nothing to worry about. The BSF troops are always with us," he said. MSID:: 121270795 413 |
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Time of India
BSF jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw returns to India after spending 3 weeks in Pakistan custody
CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR: , who had been in the custody of Pakistan Rangers for nearly three weeks, was handed over to India on Wednesday morning. The repatriation took place at 10.30am at the Joint Check Post in Attari, Amritsar, and was carried out peacefully in line with established protocols, the (Punjab Frontier) said in a statement. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Inspector General (IG), Punjab Frontier, BSF, Atul Fulzele, confirmed that the jawan, Purnam Kumar Shaw, who had been in the custody of Pakistan Rangers since April 23, 2025, was repatriated to India around 10.30am at the Joint Check Post in Attari, Amritsar. 'The handover was conducted peacefully and in accordance with established protocols,' said the IG. Shaw was captured a day after the and was released on the fourth day of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, which came into effect on May 10. The BSF constable, who had inadvertently crossed the international border along with his service weapon on April 23, was caught by Pakistan Rangers. A spokesperson of BSF's Punjab Frontier confirmed, 'Today BSF jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw, who had been in the custody of Pakistan Rangers since 23 April 2025, was handed over to India at about 10.30 am through the Joint Check Post Attari, Amritsar. The handover was conducted peacefully and in accordance with established protocols.' Following his return, Shaw was taken for medical examination and debriefing. BSF sources said that under normal circumstances, the jawan would have been returned the same day or the next. However, tensions escalated after the Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 people, stalling repatriation talks and flag meetings across the border. The jawan's wife, a resident of West Bengal, had travelled to Punjab to pursue the case with BSF officers from the Western Command. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Shaw is part of the BSF's 182 Battalion, deployed along the international border in Punjab. The BSF's Punjab Frontier is responsible for guarding the 553 km-long Indo-Pak border in the state, comprising 518 km of land and 33 km of riverine terrain. The region is manned by multiple BSF battalions, a water wing unit, artillery, and other force multipliers to prevent cross-border infiltration, smuggling, and narcotics trafficking. Who is Purnam Kumar Shaw? Shaw, who is a resident of Rishra in West Bengal's Hooghly district, had inadvertently crossed the International Border while on duty along the Punjab border on April 23, a day after Pahalgam terror attack. He was immediately detained by Pakistani forces and remained in their custody amid heightened tensions between the two countries. Efforts to secure his release were initially taken up during flag meetings between Indian and Pakistani forces. However, the talks came to a halt just days before India launched retaliatory strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack. The escalation had left Shaw's family in a state of deep anxiety, fearing that diplomatic efforts for his release would be derailed. Speaking to TOI last week, Shaw's wife, Rajani Shaw, had pleaded with the Indian government to ensure her husband's return. 'The government should immediately discuss his release and repatriation to India during the talks with Pakistan,' she had said after the ceasefire was announced on Saturday. Rajani had travelled to Ferozpur with her young son and other family members to meet the commanding officer of Shaw's unit. Though she was assured that talks were on, she was advised against visiting Delhi to seek help from the defence ministry. Just a day later, India launched strikes on terror camps. Throughout the conflict, Rajani said she had been monitoring news broadcasts in hope of a positive update. 'Neither the BSF officers nor central government officials responded to our appeals,' she said, recounting her repeated attempts to reach BSF's Ferozpur office. Local leaders, including Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee—who represents the Serampore parliamentary seat to which Rishra belongs—had also demanded immediate action. 'We need to get him back immediately,' Banerjee posted on social media over the weekend. On Wednesday, hope turned into relief for Shaw's family and hometown as he was finally brought back to Indian soil after 21 days in Pakistani custody.
