Indian Pilgrim From Punjab Reported Missing After Pakistan Visit; Police Launch Investigation

New Delhi | November 15, 2025 An Indian woman from Punjab who travelled to Pakistan as part of a Sikh pilgrimage group has not returned with the rest of the delegation, prompting police to open an investigation into her disappearance. The missing woman, Sarbjit Kaur, is a resident of Amanipur village in Punjab’s Kapurthala district. She crossed into Pakistan on November 4 as a member of a jatha comprising more than 1,900 Sikh pilgrims who had travelled to participate in the ‘Parkash Purb’ celebrations at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and visit other significant Sikh shrines. According to officials, the group returned to India on Thursday night after completing a 10-day pilgrimage. It was only during the headcount that authorities realised Sarbjit Kaur was not among those who returned. Police in Kapurthala confirmed that three separate cases have been registered across various police stations to track her whereabouts. Station House Officer Nirmal Singh of Talwandi Chaudhrian police station stated that investigators are verifying movement records and speaking to fellow pilgrims who travelled with her. Immigration authorities in Pakistan have reportedly informed their Indian counterparts about the situation. Indian officials are working to gather additional details from her family and village in an effort to understand whether she stayed back voluntarily or encountered difficulties during the pilgrimage. Kaur was part of the first Indian jatha allowed to travel to Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, an event that had previously led to travel restrictions. India had initially denied permission for travel due to security concerns but later approved the pilgrimage on October 2. Earlier this year, Sikh groups were also prevented from visiting Pakistan for Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary. The recent pilgrimage marked an important cultural and religious moment for many Sikh devotees, as it allowed thousands to participate in the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev at one of the holiest sites associated with Sikh history. While the rest of the delegation has safely returned, authorities are now focused on determining why Sarbjit Kaur did not come back with the group and whether she may have encountered any safety or personal issues while in Pakistan. Further details are expected once the ongoing inquiry progresses. Indian Pilgrim From Punjab Reported Missing After Pakistan Visit; Police Launch Investigation Sarbjit Kaur’s disappearance during a Sikh pilgrimage to Pakistan has raised concern on both sides of the border. The Kapurthala resident travelled with a large jatha of more than 1,900 devotees on November 4 for the Parkash Purb celebrations at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. When the group returned to India after ten days, she was not among them. Police in Punjab have begun an investigation, registering multiple cases and reaching out to those who travelled with her. Officials say they are working to trace her movements in Pakistan and confirm whether she stayed back intentionally or went missing under unclear circumstances. Pakistan’s immigration authorities have also shared preliminary information with Indian officials, who are now collecting further details from her family in Amanipur village. This was the first major Sikh pilgrimage allowed after Operation Sindoor, as India had earlier restricted travel citing security concerns. Kaur’s unexplained absence has created uncertainty for her community and family, who are awaiting clearer answers as authorities from both nations coordinate for updates.