Punjab farmer missing since 9 days found in Pakistan custody

BATHINDA: A farmer who went missing nine days ago is now confirmed to be in Pakistan custody . Amritpal Singh , 23, is suspected to have crossed the Zero Line at India-Pakistan border near Rana Panjgrain village in Punjab's Ferozepur .

Amritpal has agricultural land in the jurisdiction of Rana Panjgrain which is near the Zero Line. Farmers who have land beyond the border fence manned by BSF need to sign in and out every day. On June 21, Amritpal did so and went to till his land but he didn't sign out.

BSF officers contacted the family to know if he had come back. When they learnt he was missing, they contacted Pakistan Rangers and wrote to Guru Harsahai police station on June 22 to register an FIR.

His father Jugraj Singh told TOI that BSF authorities informed him on June 27 that Pakistan Rangers confirmed Amritpal crossed over to Pakistan and was in custody of Pak police. BSF authorities are holding meetings with their Pakistan counterparts and are hopeful of his return, he said.