Chandigarh, June 16 — The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has made a desperate plea to the Government of India and the global humanitarian community to intervene and secure the release of three young Punjabi men who were abducted in Iran and are now trapped in the volatile crossfire of the escalating Israel-Iran conflict.
In a strongly worded appeal, Satnam Singh Chahal, Executive Director of NAPA, said the three men — Husanpreet Singh (27) of Sangrur, Amritpal Singh (23) of Hoshiarpur, and Jaspal Singh (32) of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar — were kidnapped by an international human trafficking syndicate while trying to migrate to Australia via Tehran.
“These young men were misled into believing they were taking a legal route. Each of them paid around ₹18 lakh to Punjab-based agents. What followed was not migration but abduction, physical abuse, and ransom,” said Chahal.
Quoting media reports, Chahal said the families are shattered and are now living under constant fear. “They are relying on assurances from Indian officials, but the worsening military unrest in the region has thrown every rescue effort into uncertainty. These men are not just victims of trafficking—they are now hostages of war,” he said.
The Israel-Iran conflict, he added, has seriously hampered diplomatic channels and delayed any meaningful intervention. “There is a moral and humanitarian duty that cannot be ignored. The Indian government must act swiftly, and international bodies like the United Nations and human rights groups must step in to facilitate access and rescue.”
NAPA, Chahal said, stands firmly with the families and continues to work for their voices to be heard. He also called on the Punjab government to take immediate and stringent legal action against the travel agents who orchestrated what he described as a tragedy born out of exploitation and deceit.
“This crisis is a harsh reminder of the dangers of illegal migration,” Chahal warned. “We urge Punjab’s youth not to fall prey to traffickers who promise dreams but deliver devastation.”
Chahal reaffirmed NAPA’s commitment to combat human trafficking and push for safer, lawful migration pathways.
