LAHORE, May 14, 2025 — In a rare sign of cooperation following weeks of military conflict, Pakistan and India conducted a prisoner exchange at the Wagah-Attari border on Wednesday under strict security arrangements.
Prisoners Released Amid Diplomatic Thaw
Pakistan handed over Indian Border Security Force (BSF) constable Purnam Kumar Shah to Indian officials at the border crossing. In return, India released Muhammad Allah, a soldier of Pakistan’s Punjab Rangers, to Pakistani authorities.
The details of how the two security personnel ended up in each other’s custody remain unclear. However, officials confirmed that the handover was the result of quiet diplomatic coordination between Islamabad and New Delhi.
Security Tight, Diplomacy Active
The handover took place in the shadow of heightened military tensions, just days after both countries agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire following an intense exchange of missile and drone strikes earlier this month.
Both governments remained tight-lipped on the operational details of the prisoner exchange, but sources confirmed it was carried out smoothly with no media access permitted during the handover.
Read: Modi’s Photo-Op Raises New Questions About Pakistan’s S-400 Strike Claim
War of Words Follows Truce
Despite the cooperation, political rhetoric continues to fuel regional tension. On Tuesday, Pakistan sharply rebuked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what it called “provocative and inflammatory” comments.
Modi, during his first post-truce national address, had claimed that India had only “paused” its military campaign and threatened to strike “terrorist hideouts” if provoked again.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office condemned the remarks, calling them a “dangerous escalation” and dismissing claims that Pakistan had sought the ceasefire out of desperation.
Commitment to Stability
Pakistan reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire, stressing that the agreement was the result of backchannel diplomacy involving several friendly nations. Officials emphasized Islamabad’s intent to maintain peace, while warning that any further provocation would receive a firm response.
The prisoner exchange at Wagah may represent a symbolic step toward restoring fragile calm—though mutual suspicion remains high across the Line of Control.
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