New Delhi, May 28 - Three Indian nationals belonging to Punjab have been missing in Iran since May 1. The Indian Embassy in Tehran has contacted the Iranian authorities and sought their help in locating the Indian nationals and ensuring their safety. The missing Punjabis have been identified as Husanpreet Singh of Sangrur, Jaspal Singh of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr) and Amritpal Singh of Hoshiarpur.
According to family members, the three were promised to be taken to Australia by a Punjab-based agent via Dubai-Iran. They were assured of accommodation in Iran before their onward journey. However, they were allegedly kidnapped shortly after landing in Iran.
According to reports, the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of Rs 1 crore for their release and also sent a disturbing video to the family in which the three are shown tied up with yellow ropes and blood is pouring from their arms.
The families concerned have not had any direct contact with the victims since May 11 and communication was limited to calls made through the kidnappers’ phones. The Hoshiarpur agent, who had arranged the travel for them, is reportedly missing. This has further complicated the situation.
According to a statement issued by the Indian Embassy on social media, the family members of the missing persons informed the Embassy about their disappearance, following which the Indian government coordinated with the Iranian authorities. The families are being kept updated on the efforts being made. The Indian Embassy in Tehran said in a post on X, “The Embassy has strongly taken up the matter with the Iranian authorities and requested that the missing Indians be immediately traced and their safety ensured. We are also regularly updating the family members about the efforts being made by the embassy. ”
Although the Indian government is pressing for swift action to find its missing citizens, Iranian authorities have not yet issued any official statement on the disappearances.