Pakistan, India repatriate captive officials as war of words escalates PHOTO

In a rare display of coordination between arch-rivals Pakistan and India, the two nuclear-armed neighbours exchanged prisoners at the Wagah-Attari border crossing on May 14, under stringent security arrangements.

Both countries handed over detained officials who had been held in each other’s custody, following diplomatic negotiations that facilitated their release, Caliber.Az reports citing Pakistani media.

Pakistan repatriated Indian national Purnam Kumar Shah, a constable of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), while India returned Muhammad Allah, an official of Pakistan’s Punjab Rangers. The circumstances under which both personnel crossed into each other’s territories remain unclear and were not publicly disclosed.

Officials confirmed that the repatriation was the outcome of a coordinated effort through diplomatic channels. The exchange, although small in scale, is significant given the broader tensions that continue to define bilateral relations.

This development comes against the backdrop of renewed diplomatic friction between the two countries, following a statement by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which Pakistan denounced as “provocative and inflammatory.”

In a strongly worded response on May 13, Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan rejected Modi’s assertions, warning that such rhetoric risked “further destabilising an already tense regional environment and represents a ‘dangerous escalation.’”

The statement accused the Indian premier of political opportunism, saying: “At a time when the world is making concerted efforts to restore regional peace and stability, such statements only serve to derail progress.”

Khan further criticised India’s portrayal of Pakistan as seeking a ceasefire “in despair and frustration,” calling it a “blatant lie.”

He emphasized that the ceasefire understanding along the Line of Control (LoC) was a result of diplomatic engagement, not weakness, and had been “facilitated by several friendly countries who urged de-escalation.”

“Pakistan remains committed to this understanding and continues to take steps towards regional stability,” the statement added.

By Vafa Guliyeva