Punjab Woman Goes Missing During Sikh Pilgrimage to Nankana Sahib, India and Pakistan Authorities Launch Investigation

The missing pilgrim has been identified as Sarabjit Kaur, a resident of Amanipur village in Kapurthala district. She traveled with a large jatha (group) of approximately 1,923 devotees on November 4 via the Attari border to participate in the celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Prakash Parv.

After about 10 days of visiting various gurdwaras, including the sacred Nankana Sahib, the rest of the jatha returned to India — but Sarabjit Kaur was not among them. Immigration Discrepancies & Investigation:

·         According to immigration records, her name does not appear in Pakistan’s exit logs, nor in India’s re-entry list.

·         Indian and Pakistani intelligence agencies are coordinating to trace her whereabouts. Local police in Punjab have registered cases related to her disappearance. Allegations of Conversion & Marriage:

·         Reports, including a circulated nikahnama (Islamic marriage contract), suggest that Sarabjit converted to Islam, adopted the name “Noor,” and married a man named Nasir Hussain from Sheikhupura, Pakistan.

·         These claims have not yet been independently verified, and authorities are investigating whether her stay in Pakistan was voluntary or coerced.

Background Concerns:

·         According to Punjab police, Sarabjit Kaur has three past criminal cases registered against her.

·         Her family, particularly her two sons, told investigators that they are unaware of her current whereabouts.

Response & Reactions:

·         The Indian High Commission in Islamabad is in contact with Pakistani authorities to get details and to check whether she remained in Pakistan by choice.

·         Sikh organizations have expressed deep concern over the incident and are pressing for a thorough inquiry.

Implications:
This case raises serious questions about the safety and monitoring of cross-border religious pilgrimages. It also underscores the need for robust mechanisms to track pilgrims during such journeys, especially when entering or exiting via international borders.