Body of Sikh man found after days missing in Kashmir, murder suspected

UPDATE: The body of a 75-year-old Sikh man identified as Karan Singh was also discovered in Tral area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on 02.09.23, prompting concerns of an uptake in targeting of Sikhs in Kashmir. So far suicide is again not suspected by locals.

The body of a respected Sikh figure has been recovered days after he went missing in Baramulla (city in Kashmir), in an incident of suspected kidnapping and murder.

59-year-old Gurmeet Singh, an engineer for the city, was reported as missing on the evening of 25th August. His car was left in the Kanth-Bagh area of the city and his mobile phone was switched off. Singh’s body was found in a barrage in the Gantamulla village on 28th August. Suicide is not suspected.

Although what occurred still remains a mystery, Sikhs have historically been plagued by Islamic extremists in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). It is also not the first time a Sikh engineer has gone missing in J&K, as reported by the Kashmiri Sikh Project group (see image below). Kashmir based Sikh academic Dr Komal Singh said about the murder of a Sikh and J&K, “We know this is not first it won’t be last”.

Most accounts state Gurmeet Singh said he went to attend an official work meeting before he disappeared. J&K is also noted as being one of the most militarised areas on earth, with hundreds of thousands of Indian troops stationed there, imposing many human rights abuses on the area’s citizens.

Protests have broken out, with J&K Sikh groups calling for more government action on protecting the community. The protest was supported by the Civil Society of Baramulla, whilst the local Transport Association also suspended actions in a mark of respect.

Investigations into the murder continue, although a conclusive outcome is unlikely to come any time soon.

Speaking on the issue, Sikh Press Association Senior Press Officer Jasveer Singh said:

“The case of Gurmeet Singh reminds us that across India, and in neighbouring Pakistan and Afghanistan and all that is in between, Sikh lives seem more dispensable then most. Sikhs remain a micro-minority community in these countries, plagued by Islamic extremism on one side and Hindu extremism on the other.

“Between these issues, Sikhs lives are often lost in various ways and the ability for the community to obtain justice remains weak. Hopefully in this case more will come to light. Our prayers and thoughts go out to Gurmeet Singh’s family and the Sikhs of Jammu and Kashmir.”