Tehran– India has expressed deep gratitude to the Iranian government for its swift and effective action in rescuing three Indian citizens who were kidnapped shortly after arriving in Tehran. The Indian Embassy in Iran praised the Iranian authorities for their timely intervention, calling it a reflection of the “true spirit of friendship” between the two countries.
“The three kidnapped Indian citizens have been safely rescued and are now under the care of the Embassy of India, which is facilitating their early repatriation. We sincerely thank the Government of Iran for their swift and effective efforts in securing their release,” the embassy said in a post on X. “Your support reflects the true spirit of friendship between two nations,” it added.
On Tuesday night, the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi confirmed that Tehran police had successfully located and freed the missing individuals. Citing Iranian media reports, the embassy said the rescue took place in Varamin, south of Tehran, following a police operation against the kidnappers.
The three victims—Jaspal Singh, Hushanpreet Singh, and Amritpal Singh, all from Punjab—had reportedly gone missing shortly after arriving in Iran on May 1. According to reports, they were en route to Australia, having been promised high-paying jobs by a local travel agency.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran had been actively involved in the case since May 28, when family members of the missing men contacted officials expressing grave concern over their disappearance. In a statement, the embassy said it had taken up the matter with Iranian authorities and was committed to ensuring the safety of the missing citizens.
Meanwhile, reports emerged that the families had received ransom demands of Rs 1 crore from unidentified individuals, with the threatening calls traced to Pakistani phone numbers. These alarming details prompted immediate and coordinated diplomatic engagement between Indian and Iranian officials.
Responding to the developments, the Iranian Embassy in India said the matter was being closely monitored by the Consular Affairs Department of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also issued a public advisory warning Indian nationals not to fall prey to unauthorized agents or illegal job offers abroad.
The Indian government has previously cautioned travelers heading to Iran to remain vigilant, stay in regular contact with the Indian Embassy or consulates, and avoid dealings with unverified intermediaries.
The successful rescue operation marks a significant moment in Indo-Iranian cooperation and underscores the importance of timely diplomatic collaboration in protecting citizens abroad. (Source: IANS)
