Human trafficking continues to exploit dreams of migration — and in the latest chapter of this grim reality, three young men from Punjab almost paid the ultimate price.
On May 1, Amritpal Singh, Jaspal Singh, and Hushanpreet Singh were promised a future in Australia via a “safe” route by a travel agency. The truth, however, was far from what they imagined.
Trapped Abroad: The Iran Ordeal
Shortly after landing in Tehran, the three were kidnapped by human traffickers and held for ransom. Their families, unaware of the danger, began receiving threatening ransom calls, some demanding as much as ₹1 crore. The ordeal gripped their homes in Hoshiarpur, SBS Nagar, and Sangrur with fear and helplessness.
One family member, Balwinder Singh, said:
“The abductors were terrifying. We were desperate and didn’t know where to turn. Every call felt like the last.”
Operation Freedom: A Diplomatic Win
What followed was a rare and heartening diplomatic success. The Indian Embassy in Iran, in collaboration with the Iranian Foreign Ministry, coordinated with local police in Varamin, a town near Tehran, and executed a rescue.
The Iranian Embassy in India officially confirmed the success on social media, saying,
“Three missing Indian citizens freed by Tehran police.”
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s MEA, noted the full cooperation of Iranian officials, emphasizing the strength of India’s foreign relations and commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.
The Aftermath: Joy, Justice, and Lessons
All three men are safe, receiving medical attention, and have contacted their families. Their kidnappers — believed to be Pakistani nationals — have been arrested, bringing some sense of closure to the families.
Kuldeep Kaur, wife of Jaspal Singh, said:
“I can’t explain what it feels like to hear his voice again. The past month broke us, but today we celebrate.”
Balwinder Kaur, Hushanpreet’s mother, said her prayers were answered. His uncle added that emails to PM Narendra Modi and S. Jaishankar were sent in desperation and returned in action.
Final Thoughts
This incident exposes the ugly face of human trafficking hiding behind travel dreams. It’s a warning to all families: verify, research, and never fall for shortcut promises abroad.
At the same time, it's also a testament to international cooperation, showing that when lives are on the line, diplomacy, vigilance, and swift action can truly make the difference between life and death.
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