The disappearance of a 43-year-old woman from Nagpur, Sunita Bholewshwar Jamgade, near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kargil, Ladakh, has prompted a wide-ranging investigation and the detention of at least five individuals for questioning. The incident, which occurred around May 14, 2025, has raised concerns about potential security lapses in the sensitive border region and the woman's motives.
Sunita had been vacationing in the area with her 15-year-old son. They had checked into a hotel in Kargil around May 9 or 10. On May 14, she reportedly left her son at the hotel and traveled to Hundermaan, the last village on the Indian side of the LoC, but did not return. The hotel staff alerted the authorities, triggering a search operation. The son is now under the care of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Kargil.
The investigation took a significant turn when authorities detained a Kargil resident suspected of assisting Sunita in reaching the border area. According to investigators, this individual allegedly not only transported her near Hunderman but also provided her with some money. Police are trying to determine the extent of the individual's involvement, whether he was knowingly aiding her or was unwittingly involved.
Adding another layer to the mystery, intelligence sources revealed that Sunita had previously attempted to cross into Pakistan via the Attari border near Amritsar. She had been detained once by the Border Security Force (BSF) during one such attempt but was released after interrogation. It was discovered that she had been communicating via WhatsApp with two contacts saved on her phone as "Zulfiquar Dubani" and "O Pakistani Church Asif Masqun," both using SIM cards from China Mobile Pakistan Ltd (CMPak).
Recent reports suggest that Sunita may have successfully crossed the border into Pakistan and is now in the custody of Pakistani agencies, who are investigating her motives. These reports indicate she intended to meet a pastor she had befriended online. While Indian security forces have not officially confirmed her crossover, sources indicate that Pakistani villagers spotted her after she entered their territory, leading to her detention.
Investigators are scrutinizing Sunita's phone records and online interactions to understand how she managed to reach the border undetected in such a high-security zone. Her family has informed the police that she had been undergoing psychiatric treatment at the Regional Mental Hospital in Nagpur, raising questions about her mental state and potential motivations.
The case has brought into focus the vulnerabilities in border surveillance and security protocols in the Kargil region, which is already on high alert due to ongoing tensions with Pakistan. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities exploring all possible angles, including the roles of the individuals she was in contact with and the potential for religious or ideological influences. A team from Nagpur police is expected to travel to Kargil to assist in the investigation.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to ensure the well-being of Sunita's son. The CWC in Nagpur is coordinating with authorities in Ladakh to facilitate the child's return and provide him with the necessary care and support. The child is expected to be placed in a government-run shelter home upon his return to Nagpur, where he will receive counseling and remain until his mother's situation is resolved.
