India-Pakistan conflict: India is investigating a possible Pakistani hand in the kidnapping of three Indian nationals who recently went missing in Iran. The probe was prompted after the families of the abducted men received ransom calls from Pakistani phone numbers, leading to suspicions of the involvement of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI.
The three men — Hushanpreet Singh from Sangrur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar, and Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur in Punjab — disappeared on May 1 shortly after landing in Tehran. Reports suggest that Pakistan’s ISI might attempt to frame the missing individuals as spies, heightening diplomatic concern.
Victims were promised route to Australia via Iran
According to sources, the three men had been lured by an agent in Punjab who promised to send them to Australia through a route that passed via Dubai and Iran. The agent, based in Hoshiarpur, is currently untraceable and is also under investigation to determine if he has any links to the Pakistani government or intelligence services.
This case has also exposed a dangerous human trafficking network exploiting desperate migrants with false promises of overseas opportunities.
India and Iran in constant coordination
The Indian Embassy in Tehran confirmed it had received reports from the families and is in close contact with Iranian authorities. In a statement, the embassy said it has “strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities” and is working to ensure the “urgent tracing and safety” of the three missing nationals.
Meanwhile, Iran’s embassy in New Delhi said its Consular Affairs Department is coordinating with judicial authorities to investigate the disappearance. “The Embassy of the Republic of India in Tehran is also being kept informed of the proceedings,” it said in a statement posted on X.
Indian migrants at risk?
This is the second case in the past year involving Indian nationals going missing in Iran. Iranian authorities have urged Indians to be cautious while travelling abroad and not fall prey to illegal agents and trafficking networks.
The Indian government is also looking at broader measures to regulate and monitor overseas travel routes that are often exploited by unscrupulous agents for human trafficking and illegal migration.
Diplomatic sensitivities and security risks
As the probe continues, the potential involvement of Pakistani entities in the abduction could escalate diplomatic tensions in the region. The use of Pakistani phone numbers for ransom demands and the suspicion of framing the victims as spies adds a complex layer of international espionage and security concerns.
Meanwhile, India continues to press for the safe return of its citizens, even as officials explore multiple angles — from human trafficking to cross-border intelligence involvement — in this developing case.