Swept Away by Sutlej Floods, Ferozepur men return after 2 years in Pakistan Jails
FEROZEPUR, February 3, 2026: In a tale of survival against all odds, Joginder Singh and Gurmej Singh from Kilche village, along with fellow villagers Chhinder Singh and Vishal Jeet Singh from Ali Ke, have returned home after a two-year nightmare in Pakistani custody. Swept away by the raging Sutlej floods in August 2023, the four men inadvertently crossed the border, only to face arrest, torture, and blindfolding by Pakistan Rangers.
The four were among the six Indian nations who were arrested on alleged charges of smuggling weapons, narcotics and ammunition by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations.
Speaking from his modest home, surrounded by tearful family, Joginder Singh (48) shared his ordeal in a voice heavy with emotion: “The floods hit like a monster. My tractor got stuck in the waterlogged fields near Sutlej. Strong currents pulled me across. Rangers apprehended us, accusing us of smuggling. We were tortured severely for days, kept blindfolded, and produced in court. Lodged in a high-security jail in Lahore, we endured a year of imprisonment before families could speak to us.”
Gurmej Singh, equally shaken, added: “I tried retrieving cattle with Chhinder when the river swept us away. They fined us Rs 10,000, but failure to pay meant extra months in jail. My 82-year-old mother lost her eyesight worrying; my son discontinued studies. Now, back with loved ones, I want to erase those memories.” Chhinder Singh (45) echoed the pain: “We’ve been lodged here for years; after release, we began visiting gurdwaras.” Vishal Jeet Singh (21) abandoned studies, his aunt’s house now a place of solace.
Repatriated Sunday via Wagah, the men hail from simple farming backgrounds. They were reportedly kept at JIC - Joint Investigation Centre in Amritsar for questioning before sending them back to their villages.