In a significant development amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday detained a Pakistani Ranger along the international border in Rajasthan. The detention comes after a similar incident involving the arrest of BSF constable Purnam Kumar Sahu by the Pakistan Rangers last month.
Swami Sivananda Saraswati, a revered Yoga guru and Padma Shri awardee, passed away on Sunday due to a cardiac arrest at the age of 128 in Varanasi. His death marks the end of a remarkable life dedicated to the practice and propagation of yoga.
BSF constable Purnam Kumar Sahu was taken into Pakistani custody on April 23 after inadvertently crossing the international border while escorting farmers near the Ferozepur sector in Punjab. Despite India’s usual protocol for such inadvertent crossings, Pakistan has not yet reciprocated or provided a clear response on the matter. India’s Border Security Force has since filed a formal protest, but Pakistani authorities have remained non-committal in their actions.
The identity of the detained Pakistani Ranger, who is currently in BSF custody at the Rajasthan Frontier, has not been disclosed. The development comes amid mounting tensions between the two nations, especially after the Pakistan Rangers’ detainment of Mr. Sahu, which remains unresolved.
Hours after the detention, Pakistani Army posts along the Line of Control (LoC) opened unprovoked small arms fire in multiple sectors, marking the 10th consecutive day of firing across the border. The firing, which took place during the night of May 3-4, included regions like Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajauri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor. In response, Indian Army units acted promptly and proportionately, military sources reported. Despite the widespread nature of the ceasefire violation, no fatalities have been reported so far.
The ongoing ceasefire violations and the detention of both soldiers have exacerbated tensions in the region, especially following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, where 26 civilians lost their lives. India has accused Pakistan of providing support to the terrorists behind the attack, most of whom were linked to the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
In response to the increasing border tensions and Pakistan’s actions, India has undertaken several punitive measures against Pakistan. These include suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah border crossing, withdrawing diplomatic personnel, and banning imports from Pakistan. India has also halted postal exchanges and terminated port access for Pakistani-flagged vessels.
The situation escalated further when Pakistan conducted a test launch of its Abdali surface-to-surface ballistic missile on Saturday, drawing sharp condemnation from Indian officials. The missile, with a range of 450 km, was reportedly tested under “Exercise INDUS” to validate its technical parameters. Indian authorities described the test as a “blatant provocation” and warned against further escalation.
As the situation continues to unfold, there is growing concern over the impact of these developments on regional stability. The apprehension of both soldiers and the repeated ceasefire violations have only deepened the sense of unease between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The future of BSF constable Sahu and the resolution of these tensions remains uncertain, with India continuing to pursue diplomatic channels for his release while the LoC remains volatile.
Sources By Agencies