3 Indians Missing in Iran, Families Allege Kidnapping, Demand Urgent Rescue
Three Indian nationals from Punjab have gone missing in Iran under suspicious circumstances, with their families alleging that they have been kidnapped and subjected to torture. The Indian Embassy in Tehran confirmed the development and said it is in close contact with Iranian authorities to trace the missing individuals and ensure their safety.
The missing persons, identified as residents of Sangrur, Nawanshahr, and Hoshiarpur districts in Punjab, had left for Iran earlier this month. They were reportedly en route to Australia on work permits but were taken to Iran instead by travel agents under the pretext of a temporary stopover.
According to the family members, the three men have not been heard from since May 1. Disturbing images and videos shared with the families show the victims with their hands tied and visible injuries, including cut marks on their bodies. The relatives suspect they are being held hostage by kidnappers demanding ransom for their release.
The mother of one of the victims, Husnpreet from Sangrur, has accused local travel agents of fraud and human trafficking. “They took our money promising jobs in Australia, but sent our children to Iran,” she said, appealing to the Punjab and central governments to take immediate action.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Indian Embassy stated, “Families of 3 Indians have informed the Embassy of India that their relatives are missing after having travelled to Iran. The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities, and requested that the missing Indians should be urgently traced, and their safety should be ensured.”
The embassy added that it is providing regular updates to the victims’ families and has intensified efforts to trace them.
No official statement has yet been made by Iranian authorities regarding the alleged abduction. However, the case has sparked concerns over human trafficking networks exploiting vulnerable job seekers under the guise of foreign employment.
Several reports in recent years have highlighted the exploitation of Indian nationals through illegal immigration routes involving Gulf countries and parts of Central and West Asia.
Local police in Punjab have reportedly begun inquiries into the agents involved in the case, though no arrests have been confirmed yet.
