Gujarat couple trying to reach US illegally gets kidnapped by Pakistani agent in Iran

Ahmedabad: A Pakistani agent is holding a young couple from the Naroda of the city hostage in Iran and demanding money in exchange for their release. The couple had intended to illegally enter the United States.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Chaitanya Mandlik, stated on Monday that the Krushnanagar Police Station in the Naroda area is in the process of registering a First Information Report (FIR) regarding this incident. The Ahmedabad city crime branch has also launched an investigation into the matter.

Since the incident occurred outside the country, the crime branch plans to approach the Indian Embassy in Iran and provide them with all the necessary information in order to secure the release of the couple. The couple, identified as Pankaj Patel and his wife Nisha Patel, both aged 29, had shared their intentions with the Krushnanagar police. They had contacted an agent based in Hyderabad who arranged their air tickets.

In the latest development, a video demanding ransom has surfaced. In the surfaced video, a Pankaj is seen lying face down while another man repeatedly stabs him on the back with a blade. Within minutes, blood covers his back, and the young man, in agonizing pain, can be heard saying that give whatever money the kidnappers are demanding. Still the abducted goes on the torture Pankaj.

According to the police, the agent had planned for the couple to land in Tehran, Iran, and follow further instructions. However, upon their arrival at Tehran airport a few days ago, a Pakistani agent took them to a hotel and held them captive, seeking a ransom.

Officials stated that Pankaj Patel was physically assaulted by the Pakistani agent and his accomplices. They also sent a video to the couple’s relatives, demanding a large sum of money for their release.