Indian boy celebrating Baisakhi festival disappears in Lahore

Amarjit's absence was only noticed when he failed to collect his passport from Evacuee Trust Property Board

LAHORE: Following an incident involving an Indian girl who embraced Islam and married a Pakistani man, a young man from her country was reported missing in Lahore on Saturday.

Amarjit Singh, a 24-year-old resident of Amritsar, had arrived in Pakistan along with other Sikh pilgrims to celebrate Baisakhi festival on April 12.

His disappearance was only noticed when the entourage he came along with embarked upon the return journey to India.

Amarjit’s passport, like other pilgrims, was with the officials of Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), who immediately informed the high officials when Amarjit failed to collect it within the stipulated time.



According to an initial probe, the Indian boy disappeared on reaching Lahore from Nankana Sahib while a search to find him is underway.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

The incident comes amid Indian allegations of “attempts to incite Indian pilgrims” on the issue of ‘Khalistan’, claims Pakistan categorically rejects.

“By spreading such falsehoods, India has chosen to deliberately stoke further controversy around the visit of Sikh pilgrims, currently attending the Baisakhi and Khalsa Janamdin ceremonies in Pakistan,” said a statement issued by the Foreign Office earlier this week.

It said Pakistan welcomes Hindu and Sikh pilgrims from all over the world, including India.