Man missing in Russia, Seechewal seeks MEA help

Jalandhar: Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has approached the ministry of external affairs seeking assistance in tracing young Punjabi man Heera Singh, who has been missing for the past eight months after reportedly joining the Russian military.Seechewal sent the SOS to the MEA after the missing man's wife, Navdeep Kaur, a resident of district Amritsar, called on Seechewal at Sultanpur Lodhi and shared her predicament. She said her husband, Heera Singh, travelled to Moscow in Oct 2024 to pursue higher education. However, in Aug 2025, he was recruited into the Russian army.According to the family, Heera Singh was promised an immediate payment of ₹14 lakh and a monthly salary of ₹2.5 lakh at the time of recruitment.Navdeep Kaur revealed that after just 15 days of military training, her husband was sent to the war front. She said he was never mentally prepared for combat, as recruiters had assured him that his duties would only involve delivering food supplies to soldiers and helping dig bunkers.She added that she last spoke to her husband in Sept 2025. Since then, there has been no contact for the past eight months, leaving the family in deep distress and uncertainty.The family's struggles are further compounded by the serious medical condition of their 6-year-old son, who suffers from cerebral palsy. The couple also has two younger children, aged 2 1/2 years and 1 year, respectively.Seechewal assured the family that he would remain in contact with the MEA and the Indian embassy in Moscow to help trace the missing youth.He also said efforts would be made to arrange medical treatment for the sick child through the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. In addition, he pledged full support for the education of the children.