A pall of deep anxiety and palpable fear has descended upon several families in Punjab, particularly those residing in the districts of Sangrur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, and Hoshiarpur, as news emerged that three of their young men have mysteriously gone missing in Iran. This distressing development, which has garnered significant attention, has now prompted the Iranian Embassy in India to issue a stringent cautionary advisory, unequivocally urging Indian citizens to exercise extreme vigilance and emphatically advising against being misled by unauthorized individuals or illicit agencies promising overseas travel. The incident, unfolding against the backdrop of desperate aspirations for a better life abroad, starkly illuminates the perilous journeys often undertaken by many Indian youths, frequently from the fertile plains of Punjab, who regrettably fall prey to the insidious tentacles of human trafficking networks.
The three young men, identified as Hushanpreet Singh from Sangrur, Jaspal Singh from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr), and Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, had reportedly embarked on their journey to Iran on May 1, 2025. Their families assert that they were initially sent to Iran by an agent in Punjab, who promised them work permits and a safe passage to Australia via the notorious “Dunki route.” This route often involves legitimate-looking initial steps, such as obtaining valid visas for a transit country, before veering into illicit and highly dangerous territory. However, shortly after their arrival in Tehran, the capital of Iran, contact with their families back home was abruptly and chillingly lost. This sudden silence plunged their loved ones into a harrowing abyss of uncertainty, leading them to suspect the most dire of possibilities: that their sons had been ensnared in a sophisticated human trafficking racket.
Further compounding the terror for the grieving families, chilling allegations have surfaced that the young men were abducted soon after landing in Iran. Their relatives claim to have received distressing communications from the alleged kidnappers, demanding a staggering ransom of ₹1 crore. These communications reportedly included disturbing pictures and videos depicting the men with their hands bound by ropes, exhibiting visible cuts and bruises on their bodies, a horrifying testament to their ordeal. While families were able to maintain sporadic contact with the men during the initial days following their alleged kidnapping, communication ceased entirely after May 11, intensifying the anguish and helplessness felt by their loved ones. The agent from Hoshiarpur who facilitated their perilous journey is now reportedly on the run, with a First Information Report (FIR) registered against him on May 16, highlighting the criminal dimension of these illicit immigration schemes.
Iran, strategically situated at the crossroads of Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, has, for many years, inadvertently or otherwise, become a critical transit point for irregular migration flows, including those originating from India. Its visa-free policy for up to 15 days for Indian citizens for tourism purposes, while designed to boost legitimate travel and business, has regrettably been exploited by unscrupulous human traffickers to facilitate the initial entry of aspiring migrants into the country, setting them on the perilous “Dunki route.” This route, as confirmed by investigations into numerous past incidents, often involves a complex and highly dangerous itinerary, typically beginning with travel to Dubai, followed by passage through Iran, Turkey, and then onwards to various European nations, or even towards Mexico for eventual entry into the United States or Canada. The agents who orchestrate these clandestine journeys charge exorbitant fees, often ranging from ₹25 lakh to ₹75 lakh, for a passage fraught with immense risks, including abandonment, exploitation, physical harm, and even death.
In response to the recent disappearances and the disturbing allegations of kidnapping and ransom, the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi has issued a notably strong advisory. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the embassy declared, “Given the nature of this incident, Indian citizens are strongly advised not to be deceived by the promises of unauthorized individuals or illegal Indian agencies offering travel to other countries.” This direct and emphatic warning from Iranian authorities underscores their recognition of the severe dangers associated with such irregular travel arrangements. It implies a clear acknowledgement of the prevalence of illicit trafficking operations using their territory and serves as a crucial caution against falling prey to false promises that lead to perilous situations.
The Indian government has swiftly engaged with Iranian authorities to address the critical situation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed on Thursday, May 29, that India is in constant touch with Tehran for locating the three missing nationals, ensuring their safety and security, and facilitating their eventual return home. He emphasized that the Indian Embassy in Tehran had “strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities” and had specifically requested the urgent tracing of the missing individuals.
The MEA further stated that it is receiving “good cooperation from the Iranian side” and is maintaining daily contact with Iranian authorities. Simultaneously, the Indian Embassy in Tehran is diligently keeping the families of the missing men updated on the ongoing efforts, providing a much-needed lifeline of information amidst their agonizing wait. Reports also indicate that officials in New Delhi have, for now, ruled out a “spy angle” in the disappearance, maintaining that the men were likely duped by their travel agents. The Iranian Embassy has affirmed that the case is being actively followed up by its Consular Affairs Department in coordination with relevant judicial authorities, with the Indian mission in Tehran being kept informed of all developments.
This diplomatic engagement highlights the serious concern at the highest levels of both governments regarding the safety of Indian citizens and the broader issue of human trafficking. The plight of individuals like Hushanpreet, Jaspal, and Amritpal underscores the immense challenges faced by consular officials in tracing individuals who deliberately evade official channels and enter the dangerous underworld of illegal migration.
The phenomenon of illegal immigration, particularly from Punjab, is deeply entrenched in a complex web of socio-economic pressures. Despite being a relatively prosperous agricultural state, Punjab grapples with issues such as a stagnant agricultural sector, limited industrial growth to absorb its youth, a high unemployment rate among educated individuals, and a persistent cultural aspiration for a life abroad. The lure of higher wages, better living standards, and perceived opportunities in Western countries often leads young men and women, and their families, to take extraordinary risks. They invest their life savings, sell ancestral lands, or incur substantial debts, all to fund these hazardous journeys. The unscrupulous travel agents, who often operate illegally, expertly prey on this desperation. They paint alluring but false narratives of easy entry and guaranteed success, deliberately omitting the grim realities of exploitation, abuse, and potential imprisonment or death that define the “Dunki route.”
The human cost of these desperate migrations is immeasurable. Families are not only left financially ruined but are also subjected to immense psychological torment, living in perpetual dread for their loved ones. The Indian government has, in the past, undertaken various initiatives to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking, including public awareness campaigns warning against fraudulent agents and promoting legal channels for overseas employment.
However, the deep-seated desire to migrate and the persuasive tactics of illegal agents continue to fuel this dangerous trend. The disappearance of these three young men in Iran serves as yet another tragic testament to the critical need for a multi-faceted approach: robust enforcement against illegal agents, heightened awareness campaigns to educate the public about the risks, and concerted efforts to create viable economic opportunities within Punjab itself, thereby reducing the desperation that drives individuals towards such perilous pathways. The explicit advisory from Iran, directly linking to the disappearance of Indian nationals, serves as a poignant and urgent call for collective action to prevent further tragedies.