The continuing uncertainty over the fate of three young men from Jammu-of Pahariwala, Bawe Tallab and Kanachak-has exposed a disturbing and painful reality: Indian citizens can go missing in a foreign war zone, and months later, their families may still be left without answers. Two of these youth have been out of contact since September 2025, and despite repeated representations, protests, and appeals, neither their whereabouts nor their condition is known. The silence is not merely bureaucratic; it is devastatingly human. What began as a search for overseas employment has turned into a nightmare. According to their families, the youth were allegedly lured by a Russian agent with promises of lucrative civilian work-bunker construction near the Ukraine border, hefty one-time payments and high monthly salaries. Instead, they were reportedly pushed into combat roles in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Whether through deception, coercion or contractual fine print, the outcome remains the same: untrained civilians from Jammu, now caught in one of the world’s most brutal war zones.
Families are inconsolable. For months, they have knocked on every possible door-local representatives, Members of Parliament, ministers, and central authorities. They have staged protests in Jammu and even travelled to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, joining dozens of similarly affected families from across the country. What deepens their anguish is the belief that some youth from other states reportedly returned home after sustained protests, while there is still no information about the boys from Jammu.
Objectively, the challenge is formidable. The Russian-Ukrainian war zone is opaque, heavily militarised, and tightly controlled. Independent verification of information is nearly impossible. Families and even governments are forced to rely almost entirely on official Russian channels for updates. In such an environment, delays, denials or silence are not uncommon. However, acknowledging difficulty cannot become an excuse for inaction. When Indian citizens are missing abroad-especially in a conflict zone-the onus squarely lies on the Indian state to pursue every possible avenue. There is also an uncomfortable truth that must be addressed honestly. Many youth who travelled to Russia did so despite knowing the volatile conditions prevailing there. Economic desperation, lack of employment opportunities at home, and the lure of quick money often override caution. This does not absolve fraudulent agents or foreign recruiters who misrepresent contracts, nor does it diminish the responsibility of the Indian government toward its citizens. A poor decision does not cancel citizenship rights. Missing Indians are missing Indians-regardless of the choices that led them there.
What is glaringly absent in the current situation is a coordinated, structured response. Families are left to protest on the streets while navigating a maze of assurances. This is where civil society and NGOs can and must step in. A credible national-level NGO or consortium could systematically document all such cases across India, creating a verified database of missing or trapped youth in Russia. Crucially, these track-II actors may be able to explore informal or back-channel mechanisms, such as business coordination committees, cultural exchange forums, diaspora networks, and academic or trade associations that maintain links with Russia. In tightly controlled systems, unofficial humanitarian enquiries sometimes yield information where formal diplomatic notes stall. Even confirmation of location or status can provide immense psychological relief to families living in a state of limbo.
At the same time, the Union Government must intensify its efforts through the Indian Embassy in Moscow. Diplomatic sensitivity with Russia cannot outweigh the urgency of a humanitarian crisis. India has already conveyed concerns about the recruitment of its nationals; that message must now translate into concrete follow-up, case-by-case tracking, and transparent communication with families. Silence breeds distrust, and in Jammu’s case, it risks alienating already traumatised households.
This episode should also serve as a wake-up call within India. Youth in villages, towns and urban fringes must be told plainly: no foreign country pays extravagant sums for unskilled civilian work near a war zone. For now, however, the priority is clear. Young men from Jammu are missing, their families are desperate, and time is slipping away. The only acceptable outcome is clarity and, ultimately, safe return.
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