Shillong, June 20: A young couple from Naroda, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, who had planned to enter the United States illegally, is currently being held hostage in Iran by a Pakistani agent. The agent has demanded a ransom for their release, according to a police official.
The incident has prompted the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) at the Krushnanagar Police Station in Naroda, and the Ahmedabad city crime branch has initiated an investigation, stated Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Chaitanya Mandlik.
Given that the incident occurred outside the country, the crime branch will approach the Indian Embassy in Iran with all the necessary details to facilitate the safe release of the couple. The couple has been identified as Pankaj Patel and his wife Nisha Patel, both 29 years old, as confirmed by the DCP.
According to information provided by the couple’s family to the Krushnanagar police, the duo sought to enter the US illegally and came into contact with an agent based in Hyderabad who arranged their air tickets.
As per the agent’s plan, the couple was supposed to land in Tehran, Iran, and proceed according to further instructions, explained the police.
However, upon their arrival at Tehran airport a few days ago, a Pakistani agent took them to a hotel and held them hostage. The agent and his accomplices reportedly assaulted Pankaj Patel and sent a video to his relatives, demanding a significant sum of money for the couple’s release.