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Promised air travel by Pakistani agent, Amritsar youth sent through jungle, dies on ‘donkey route’

The 33-year-old had previously worked in England on a work permit but later returned

Gurpreet Singh, a youth from Amritsar, dies of a heart attack on a dangerous illegal migration route to the US. (Source: Express Photo)

An Amritsar youth who allegedly paid Rs 20 lakh to a Pakistani agent to reach the United States died of a heart attack en route.

The family of Gurpreet Singh (33), a resident of Ramdas town in Ajnala tehsil, said he was promised air travel but was instead taken through a jungle. He passed away near Guatemala, a key stop on the ‘donkey route’ used by illegal migrants.

Gurpreet was the only brother of six sisters. Punjab cabinet minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal visited his family on Sunday.

According to the family, Gurpreet first hired an agent from Chandigarh and paid him Rs 16 lakh to reach Guyana. The Chandigarh agent fulfilled his part of the deal. However, for the next leg of the journey, Gurpreet engaged a Pakistani agent, who charged Rs 20 lakh with the promise of air travel but instead allegedly forced him to take the treacherous jungle route.

“Gurpreet showed us on a video call how his toenails had come off due to the difficult journey. They stayed at a hotel in Guatemala. On the morning they were set to leave, he began experiencing breathing problems as soon as he sat in a taxi. A fellow traveller called us to inform us about his tragic death,” the family said.

The family added that Gurpreet had previously worked in England on a work permit but later returned. He had hoped to settle in the US. They have appealed to the Indian government to help bring his body back for the last rites.

Minister Dhaliwal, who visited the family to offer condolences, urged Punjabis not to take illegal migration routes. “A young man from Ramdas village lost his life on the way to America despite paying Rs 36 lakh. I appeal to all Punjabis not to go abroad illegally. If you have saved or borrowed such a large sum, use it to start a business here in Punjab. The Mann government will fully support the family in bringing back the body,” he said.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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